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Abstract:

There is provided a power supplying apparatus including a state
determining unit that determines whether power supply with respect to an
external apparatus of a power supply object to supply power is enabled,
an information generating unit that generates evidence information
regarding a power supply disabled state, when the power supply with
respect to the external apparatus of the power supply object is disabled,
and a transmission control unit that transmits the generated evidence
information to at least one external apparatus of a transmission object.

Claims:

1. A power supplying apparatus comprising: a state determining unit that
determines whether power supply with respect to an external apparatus of
a power supply object to supply power is enabled; an information
generating unit that generates evidence information regarding a power
supply disabled state, when the power supply with respect to the external
apparatus of the power supply object is disabled; and a transmission
control unit that transmits the generated evidence information to at
least one external apparatus of a transmission object.

2. The power supplying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
information generating unit generates the evidence information that
includes information regarding a power supply time.

3. The power supplying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
information generating unit generates the evidence information that
includes information regarding a value for supplied power.

4. The power supplying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the state
determining unit authenticates the external apparatus of the power supply
object based on identification information acquired from the external
apparatus of the power supply object, and the state determining unit
determines whether the power supply with respect to the external
apparatus of the power supply object is enabled based on an
authentication result.

5. The power supplying apparatus according to claim 4, further
comprising: a communication unit that communicates with the external
apparatus of the power supply object, wherein the state determining unit
authenticates the external apparatus of the power supply object based on
the identification information obtained by communication of the
communication unit with the external apparatus of the power supply
object.

6. The power supplying apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the
communication unit acquires the identification information that is
transmitted when load modulation is performed in the external apparatus
of the power supply object.

7. The power supplying apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the
communication unit includes a power line communication unit that
transmits a high-frequency signal of a frequency higher than a frequency
of the power by a power line through which power is transmitted and
communicates with the external apparatus of the power supply object; and
a communication filter that is connected between the power line
communication unit and the power line and intercepts at least a signal of
the frequency of the power and does not intercept the high-frequency
signal.

8. The power supplying apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the
communication unit includes a communication antenna that transmits a
carrier according to a high-frequency signal having a frequency higher
than a frequency of the power; and a wireless communication unit that
transmits the high-frequency signal through the communication antenna and
communicates with the external apparatus of the power supply object.

9. The power supplying apparatus according to claim 1, further
comprising: a connecting unit that connects a power line, through which
power is transmitted, to the external apparatus, wherein the state
determining unit determines whether the power supply with respect to the
external apparatus of the power supply object is enabled, based on a
connection state of the external apparatus to the connecting unit.

10. The power supplying apparatus according to claim 1, further
comprising: a detecting unit that detects an external apparatus of a
power supply object, wherein the state determining unit determines
whether the power supply with respect to the external apparatus of the
power supply object is enabled based on a detection result of the
external apparatus by the detecting unit.

11. The power supplying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at
least one external apparatus of the transmission object includes one or
more external apparatuses selected from the external apparatus of the
power supply object, an external apparatus associated with the external
apparatus of the power supply object among external apparatuses other
than the external apparatus of the power supply object, and an external
apparatus not associated with the external apparatus of the power supply
object among the external apparatuses other than the external apparatus
of the power supply object.

12. A power receiving apparatus comprising: a determining unit that
determines whether evidence information regarding a state in which power
supply in a power supplying apparatus supplying power is disabled is
received; and a recording control unit that records the evidence
information, when it is determined that the evidence information is
received.

13. The power receiving apparatus according to claim 12, further
comprising: a charging processing unit that selectively executes charging
processing based on the evidence information, when it is determined that
the evidence information is received, wherein the determining unit
determines information that is included in the received evidence
information, and the charging processing unit executes the charging
processing, when information regarding a value for supplied power is
included in the received evidence information.

14. A state management method comprising: determining whether power
supply with respect to an external apparatus of a power supply object to
supply power is enabled; generating evidence information regarding a
power supply disabled state, when the power supply with respect to the
external apparatus of the power supply object is disabled; and
transmitting the generated evidence information to at least one external
apparatus of a transmission object.

15. A program for causing a computer to execute: determining whether
power supply with respect to an external apparatus of a power supply
object to supply power is enabled; generating evidence information
regarding a power supply disabled state, when the power supply with
respect to the external apparatus of the power supply object is disabled;
and transmitting the generated evidence information to at least one
external apparatus of a transmission object.

Description:

BACKGROUND

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a power supplying apparatus, a
power receiving apparatus, a state management method, and a program.

[0002] Recently, an apparatus such as a power supplying apparatus for a
vehicle, for example, an electric vehicle (EV) that can supply power to
an apparatus of a power supply object has appeared. In addition,
technology for collecting value corresponding to an amount of power
supplied to the apparatus of the power supply object has been developed.
An example of the technology for collecting the value corresponding to
the amount of power supplied to the apparatus of the power supply object
is described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A) No.
5-126852.

SUMMARY

[0003] An apparatus of a power reception side (hereinafter, referred to as
"power receiving apparatus) that receives power receives power
transmitted from an apparatus supplying the power (for example, an
apparatus of a power transmission side (hereinafter, referred to as
"power supplying apparatus")) by wire (for example, a power line) or
wireless. In this case, connection for power transmission between the
power supplying apparatus and the power receiving apparatus may be cut
due to an intentional reason (for example, an act of stealing power) or
an accidental reason (for example, an accident). In addition, power
supply from the power supplying apparatus to the power receiving
apparatus (external apparatus of a power supply object) may not be
performed due to a certain reason such as completion of the power supply.

[0004] As such, when the power supply is not performed, at the side of the
power receiving apparatus, for example, a user of the power receiving
apparatus may not know whether power is received in the power receiving
apparatus. In addition, when the power supply is not performed, at the
side of the power supplying apparatus, for example, a user of the power
supplying apparatus may not know information regarding value for the
power supplied to the power receiving apparatus, such as having failed to
take value for the power supplied to the power receiving apparatus or
having taken the value for the power excessively. That is, when the power
supply is not performed, an undesirable situation may occur in both the
side of the power receiving apparatus and the side of the power supplying
apparatus.

[0005] It is desirable to provide a power supplying apparatus, a power
receiving apparatus, a state management method, and a program that enable
information when power supply is not performed to be securely left.

[0006] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is
provided a power supplying apparatus including a state determining unit
that determines whether power supply with respect to an external
apparatus of a power supply object to supply power is enabled, an
information generating unit that generates evidence information regarding
a power supply disabled state, when the power supply with respect to the
external apparatus of the power supply object is disabled, and a
transmission control unit that transmits the generated evidence
information to at least one external apparatus of a transmission object.

[0007] Further, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure,
there is provided a power receiving apparatus including a determining
unit that determines whether evidence information regarding a state in
which power supply in a power supplying apparatus supplying power is
disabled is received, and a recording control unit that records the
evidence information, when it is determined that the evidence information
is received.

[0008] Further, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure,
there is provided a state management method including determining whether
power supply with respect to an external apparatus of a power supply
object to supply power is enabled, generating evidence information
regarding a power supply disabled state, when the power supply with
respect to the external apparatus of the power supply object is disabled,
and transmitting the generated evidence information to at least one
external apparatus of a transmission object.

[0009] Further, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure,
there is provided a program for causing a computer to execute determining
whether power supply with respect to an external apparatus of a power
supply object to supply power is enabled, generating evidence information
regarding a power supply disabled state, when the power supply with
respect to the external apparatus of the power supply object is disabled,
and transmitting the generated evidence information to at least one
external apparatus of a transmission object.

[0010] According to the embodiments of the present disclosure described
above, information when power supply is not performed can be securely
left.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011]FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing
according to a state management method in a power supplying apparatus
according to an embodiment;

[0012]FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing
according to a state management method in a power receiving apparatus
according to an embodiment;

[0013]FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of wireless
communication according to an embodiment;

[0014]FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration to
realize wireless communication performed between a power supplying
apparatus according to an embodiment and a power receiving apparatus
according to an embodiment;

[0015]FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of power line
communication according to an embodiment;

[0016]FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a
power line communication unit included in a power supplying apparatus
according to an embodiment;

[0017]FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating another example of a power line
communication unit included in a power supplying apparatus according to
an embodiment;

[0018] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a
first filter included in a power supplying apparatus according to an
embodiment;

[0019]FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a
second filter included in a power supplying apparatus according to an
embodiment;

[0020]FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of
a power line communication unit included in a power receiving apparatus
according to an embodiment;

[0021]FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating another example of a
configuration of a power line communication unit included in a power
receiving apparatus according to an embodiment;

[0022]FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of
a power supplying apparatus according to an embodiment; and

[0023]FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of
a power receiving apparatus according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT(S)

[0024] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will
be described in detail with reference to the appended drawings. Note
that, in this specification and the appended drawings, structural
elements that have substantially the same function and structure are
denoted with the same reference numerals, and repeated explanation of
these structural elements is omitted.

[0025] The following description will be made in the order described
below.

1. State Management Method according to Embodiment 2. Communication
according to Embodiment 3. Power Supplying Apparatus and Power Receiving
Apparatus according to Embodiment 4. Program according to Embodiment

(State Management Method According to Embodiment)

[0026] Before describing configurations of a power supplying apparatus and
a power receiving apparatus according to an embodiment, first, a state
management method according to an embodiment will be described.
Hereinafter, the state management method according to the embodiment will
be described on the basis of the case in which power is transmitted by
wire using a power line. The state management method according to the
embodiment is not limited to application of the case in which power is
transmitted by wire. The state management method according to the
embodiment can be applied to the case in which power is transmitted by
wireless, such as transmission of power using electromagnetic induction,
transmission of power using an electric wave (microwave), transmission of
power using resonance of a magnetic field, and transmission of power
using resonance of an electric field.

[0027] As described above, when power supply is not performed, an
undesirable situation may occur in both the side of the power supplying
apparatus and the side of the power receiving apparatus. Therefore, the
power supplying apparatus and the power receiving apparatus according to
the embodiment securely leave information (data) when the power supply is
not performed as information (data) showing an evidence in a state in
which the power supply is not performed. By securely leaving the
information when the power supply is not performed, the undesirable
situation can be prevented from occurring.

[1] State Management Method in Power Supplying Apparatus According to
Embodiment

[0028] The power supplying apparatus according to the embodiment
determines whether power supply with respect to an external apparatus
(which corresponds to the power receiving apparatus; hereinafter, also
referred to as "power receiving apparatus") of a power supply object to
supply power is enabled (determination processing). When the power supply
with respect to the external apparatus of the power supply object is
disabled (when it is not determined in the determination processing that
the power supply with respect to the external apparatus of the power
supply object is enabled), the power supplying apparatus according to the
embodiment generates evidence information regarding a state in which the
power supply is disabled (information generation processing). Therefore,
the power supplying apparatus according to the embodiment transmits the
evidence information generated in the information generation processing
to the external apparatus of the transmission object (transmission
control processing).

[0029] In this case, the evidence information according to the embodiment
includes information regarding a power supply time. As the information
regarding the power supply time according to the embodiment, data showing
a time (corresponding to a time when the power supply ends) when it is
determined in the determination processing that the power supply with
respect to the external apparatus of the power supply object is disabled,
data showing a power supply start time and a power supply end time, or
data showing a power supply time interval is exemplified.

[0030] The evidence information according to the embodiment may include
information regarding the value for the supplied power. As the
information regarding the value for the supplied power in this
embodiment, one or more data of data showing an amount of the supplied
power, data showing the value for the amount of the supplied power, data
showing a unit price of the power, data showing excess or deficiency of
value based on a result of charging processing with respect to the amount
of the supplied power, data showing a method of paying a deficit of the
value (for example, data demanding a credit payment or data showing a
paying destination), and data showing a refund of the value (for example,
data showing provided points, history data showing a refund amount, and
data demanding a credit refund) are exemplified.

[0031] The information that is included in the evidence information
according to the embodiment is not limited to the information regarding
the power supply time and/or the information regarding the value for the
supplied power. For example, in the evidence information according to the
embodiment, an ID showing the power supplying apparatus according to the
embodiment may be included. In the evidence information according to the
embodiment, for example, a recording processing command to record the
evidence information on a recording medium may be included.

(1) Determination Processing

[0032] The power supplying apparatus according to the embodiment
determines whether the power supply with respect to the external
apparatus of the power supply object to supply power is enabled.

(1-1) First Example of Determination Processing: Determination Processing
Based on Power Supply Completion State

[0033] The power supplying apparatus according to the embodiment
determines whether the power supply to the external apparatus of the
power supply object is enabled, on the basis of whether the power supply
with respect to the external apparatus of the power supply object is
completed.

[0034] Specifically, when a signal showing that the power supply with
respect to the external apparatus of the power supply object is completed
is transmitted from a power control unit to be described below or the
external apparatus having the same function as the power control unit,
the power supplying apparatus according to the embodiment determines that
the power supply with respect to the external apparatus of the power
supply object is completed. When it is not determined that the power
supply with respect to the external apparatus of the power supply object
is completed, the power supplying apparatus according to the embodiment
determines that the power supply with respect to the external apparatus
of the power supply object is enabled. When it is determined that the
power supply with respect to the external apparatus of the power supply
object is completed, the power supplying apparatus according to the
embodiment does not determine that the power supply with respect to the
external apparatus of the power supply object is enabled.

[0035] That is, the determination processing according to the first
example is determination processing when the power supply is normally
completed.

[0036] As described above, the state in which the power supply is not
performed with respect to the external apparatus of the power supply
object may be generated when connection for power transmission between
the power supplying apparatus and the power receiving apparatus is cut
due to an intentional reason (for example, an act of stealing power) or
an accidental reason (for example, an accident) as well as when the power
supply is normally completed. Therefore, as another example of the
determination processing in the power supplying apparatus according to
the embodiment, an example of the determination processing in the cases
other than the case in which the power supply is normally completed will
be described hereinafter.

(1-2) Second Example of Determination Processing: Determination
Processing based on Connection State of Power Line

[0037] For example, when the power supplying apparatus according to the
embodiment includes a connecting unit (to be described below) to connect
a power line through which power is transmitted to the external
apparatus, the power supplying apparatus determines whether the power
supply with respect to the external apparatus of the power supply object
is enabled, on the basis of a connection state of the external apparatus
in the connecting unit.

[0038] Specifically, the connecting unit (to be described below) detects a
change in the connection state of the external apparatus (change from a
non-connection state to the connection state or change from the
connection state from the non-connection state). The power supplying
apparatus according to the embodiment determines whether the power supply
with respect to the external apparatus of the power supply object is
enabled, on the basis of a detection signal that is transmitted from the
detecting unit and shows a detection result. For example, when the
detection signal transmitted from the detecting unit before the power
supply is completed after the power supply starts shows the change from
the connection state to the non-connection state, the power supplying
apparatus according to the embodiment does not determine that the power
supply with respect to the external apparatus of the power supply object
is enabled.

(1-3) Third Example of Determination Processing: Determination Processing
Based on Authentication Result

[0039] The power supplying apparatus according to the embodiment
authenticates the external apparatus of the power supply object, on the
basis of identification information corresponding to the external
apparatus of the power supply object. The power supplying apparatus
according to the embodiment determines whether the power supply with
respect to the external apparatus of the power supply object is enabled,
on the basis of an authentication result.

[0040] In this case, the identification information according to the
embodiment is information that can be used to identify the external
apparatus of the power supply object. As the identification information
according to the embodiment, data showing a unique identification
information of the external apparatus of the power supply object, data
showing a type of the external apparatus of the power supply object (for
example, data showing a maker or a model number), or power waveform data
showing a power waveform when the external apparatus of the power supply
object is used (the external apparatus of the power supply object is
driven) is exemplified. If the identification information according to
the embodiment is information used to identify the external apparatus of
the power supply object, the identification information is not limited to
the above examples.

[0041] Specifically, the power supplying apparatus according to the
embodiment performs communication with the external apparatus of the
power supply object and acquires the identification information from the
external apparatus of the power supply object. The power supplying
apparatus according to the embodiment authenticates the external
apparatus of the power supply object, on the basis of whether
identification information corresponding to the identification
information acquired from the external apparatus of the power supply
object is stored in a database in which identification information
showing external apparatuses where it is allowed to supply power is
recorded. In this case, the database may be stored in a recording medium
such as a storage unit (to be described below). The power supplying
apparatus according to the embodiment may acquire the database from an
external apparatus such as a server.

[0042] When it is determined that the external apparatus of the power
supply object is normally authenticated, the power supplying apparatus
according to the embodiment determines that the power supply with respect
to the external apparatus of the power supply object is enabled. When it
is not determined that the external apparatus of the power supply object
is normally authenticated or when the identification information is not
acquired from the external apparatus of the power supply object, the
power supplying apparatus according to the embodiment does not determine
that the power supply with respect to the external apparatus of the power
supply object is enabled.

[0043] The power supplying apparatus according to the embodiment
authenticates the external apparatus of the power supply object before
the power supply starts and starts the power supply with respect to the
external apparatus, when it is determined that the external apparatus is
normally authenticated. After the power supply starts, the power
supplying apparatus according to the embodiment transmits an
identification information transmission request to request for
transmission of the identification information to the external apparatus
of the power supply object, regularly or irregularly during a period
until the power supply is completed, and acquires the identification
information from the external apparatus of the power supply object.

[0044] In this case, the power supplying apparatus according to the
embodiment acquires the identification information by communication in a
communication unit (to be described below), which is included in the
power supplying apparatus and performs communication with the external
apparatus (power receiving apparatus) of the power supply object, or
communication in an external communication apparatus which is connected
to the power supplying apparatus and can perform communication with the
external apparatus (power receiving apparatus) of the power supply
object. An example of communication according to the embodiment between
the power supplying apparatus (or the external communication apparatus)
and the external apparatus (power receiving apparatus) of the power
supply object will be described below.

[0045] The method of acquiring the identification information
corresponding to the external apparatus of the power supply object by the
power supplying apparatus according to the embodiment is not limited to
the method of performing communication with the external apparatus of the
power supply object and acquiring the identification information. For
example, the power supplying apparatus according to the embodiment
detects an operation signal based on a user operation (for example, an
input operation of an identification number of the external apparatus of
the power supply object) transmitted from an operation unit (to be
described below) or an operation signal based on a user operation
transmitted from an external operation device such as a remote
controller, thereby acquiring the identification information
corresponding to the external apparatus of the power supply object.

(1-4) Fourth Example of Determination Processing: Determination Processing
Based on Detection Result of External Apparatus of Power Supply Object

[0046] For example, when the power supplying apparatus according to the
embodiment includes a detecting unit (to be described below) to detect
the external apparatus of the power supply object, the power supplying
apparatus determines whether the power supply with respect to the
external apparatus of the power supply object is enabled, on the basis of
a detection result of the external apparatus in the detecting unit,

[0047] For example, when the power supplying apparatus according to the
embodiment includes a detecting device such as an infrared sensor to
detect an object at a position where the external apparatus of the power
supply object exists at the time of receiving power as the detecting
unit, the power supplying apparatus determines whether the external
apparatus of the power supply object exists, on the basis of a detection
signal which is transmitted from the detecting device and shows that the
object has been detected. For example, when the power supply is performed
and the detection signal is detected, the power supplying apparatus
according to the embodiment determines that the power supply with respect
to the external apparatus of the power supply object is enabled. When the
power supply is performed and the detection signal is not detected, the
power supplying apparatus according to the embodiment does not determine
that the power supply with respect to the external apparatus of the power
supply object is enabled.

[0048] When the power supplying apparatus according to the embodiment
includes an image processing circuit to process an imaging image of the
position where the external apparatus of the power supply object exists
at the time of supplying power as the detecting unit, the power supplying
apparatus determines whether the external apparatus of the power supply
object exists, on the basis of a result of image processing with respect
to the imaging image in the image processing circuit. For example, when
the power supply is performed and the external apparatus of the power
supply object is recognized from the imaging image by image processing
such as object recognition processing with respect to the imaging image
in the image processing circuit, the power supplying apparatus according
to the embodiment determines that the power supply with respect to the
external apparatus of the power supply object is enabled. When the power
supply is performed and the external apparatus of the power supply object
is not recognized from the imaging image by the image processing in the
image processing circuit, the power supplying apparatus according to the
embodiment does not determine that the power supply with respect to the
external apparatus of the power supply object is enabled.

[0049] When the power supplying apparatus according to the embodiment
includes a sensor to detect mass of the object at the position where the
external apparatus of the power supply object exists at the time of
supplying power as the detecting unit, the power supplying apparatus
determines whether the external apparatus of the power supply object
exists, on the basis of a detection signal showing the mass to be
transmitted from the sensor detecting the mass. For example, when the
power supply is performed and the mass shown by the detection signal is
equal to or more than a predetermined threshold value (or more than the
predetermined threshold value), the power supplying apparatus according
to the embodiment determines that the power supply with respect to the
external apparatus of the power supply object is enabled. When the power
supply is performed and the mass shown by the detection signal is smaller
than the predetermined threshold value (or is equal to or smaller than
the predetermined threshold value), the power supplying apparatus
according to the embodiment does not determine that the power supply with
respect to the external apparatus of the power supply object is enabled.

[0050] The power supplying apparatus according to the embodiment
determines whether the power supply with respect to the external
apparatus of the power supply object is enabled, on the basis of the
detection result of the external apparatus in the detecting unit, as
described above. The detecting unit that is included in the power
supplying apparatus according to the embodiment is not limited to the
detecting device, the image processing circuit, and the sensor detecting
the mass.

[0051] The power supplying apparatus according to the embodiment executes
one or more processing among the determination processing according to
the first to fourth examples as the determination processing. For
example, when the plurality of processing among the determination
processing according to the first to fourth examples is executed as the
determination processing, if it is not determined that the power supply
with respect to the external apparatus of the power supply object is
enabled in any one of the plurality of processing, the power supplying
apparatus according to the embodiment does not determine that the power
supply with respect to the external apparatus of the power supply object
is enabled. When the plurality of processing is executed as the
determination processing, if it is determined that the power supply with
respect to the external apparatus of the external apparatus is enabled in
each of the plurality of processing, the power supplying apparatus
according to the embodiment determines that the power supply with respect
to the external apparatus of the power supply object is enabled.

(2) Information Generation Processing

[0052] In the processing of (1) (determination processing), when it is not
determined that the power supply with respect to the external apparatus
of the power supply object is enabled, that is, when the power supply
with respect to the external apparatus of the power supply object is
disabled, the power supplying apparatus according to the embodiment
generates evidence information.

[0053] For example, when the power supplying apparatus according to the
embodiment generates evidence information including information regarding
a power supply time, the power supplying apparatus specifies the power
supply time, on the basis of a measurement result of a timing device
composed of a clock or an oscillator, and generates the evidence
information including the information regarding the power supply time.

[0054] For example, when the power supplying apparatus according to the
embodiment generates evidence information including information regarding
value for supplied power, the power supplying apparatus generates the
information regarding the value for the supplied power, on the basis of a
measurement result of an amount of power supplied to the external
apparatus of the power supply object, a unit price of the power, or a
result of charging processing. In addition, the power supplying apparatus
according to the embodiment generates the evidence information including
the information regarding the value for the supplied power.

[0055] In this case, the power supplying apparatus according to the
embodiment performs communication with an external apparatus such as a
server (for example, a server of a power company) to manage supplied
power, acquires data showing a unit price of the power, and specifies the
unit price of the power. The power supplying apparatus according to the
embodiment may receive data showing the unit price of the power to be
packetized and transmitted by the power line and specify the unit price
of the power.

[0056] As the charging processing in the power supplying apparatus
according to the embodiment, processing for performing charging for the
external apparatus by performing communication with the external
apparatus is exemplified. Specifically, the power supplying apparatus
according to the embodiment transmits a charging processing command to
subtract a value corresponding to value from electronic value (money or
data having value based on the money) to the external apparatus of the
power supply object. As the charging processing command according to the
embodiment, data including data showing processing content and data
showing a subtracted value of the electronic value is exemplified. The
charging processing command according to the embodiment is not limited to
the above example. For example, the charging processing command according
to the embodiment may be data showing processing for transmitting
electronic value of a value corresponding to value shown by charging
information to the external apparatus (processing for moving the
electronic value).

[0057] In this case, after the power supply starts, when it is not
determined that the power supply with respect to the external apparatus
of the power supply object is enabled (when the power supply with respect
to the external apparatus of the power supply object is disabled) in the
processing of (1) (determination processing), the power supplying
apparatus according to the embodiment executes the charging processing.
However, timing when the power supplying apparatus according to the
embodiment executes the charging processing is not limited to the above
example. For example, the power supplying apparatus according to the
embodiment may execute the charging processing for every constant time
after the power supply starts or may execute the charging processing
whenever power of a constant amount is transmitted to the external
apparatus of the power supply object.

[0058] The charging processing in the power supplying apparatus according
to the embodiment is not limited to the above example. For example, the
power supplying apparatus according to the embodiment may perform
communication with an external charging processing apparatus that can
perform charging for a user of the external apparatus of the power supply
object (ex-post charging performed after the power supply) and cause the
external charging processing apparatus to perform charging for the user
of the external apparatus of the power supply object. In this case, a
server corresponding to a credit card possessed by the user of the
external apparatus of the power supply object or a server corresponding
to an account possessed by the user of the external apparatus of the
power supply object is exemplified as the external charging processing
apparatus according to the embodiment.

[0059] Specifically, the power supplying apparatus according to the
embodiment transmits information regarding the value for the supplied
power to the external charging processing apparatus and causes the
external charging processing apparatus to perform charging for the user
of the external apparatus of the power supply object. The power supplying
apparatus according to the embodiment may transmit identification
information showing an apparatus of a charging object (external apparatus
of the power supply object) to the external charging processing
apparatus.

[0060] That is, the charging processing according to the embodiment may be
direct charging processing with respect to the external apparatus of the
power supply object or indirect charging processing for causing the
external charging processing apparatus to execute substantial charging
processing. The charging processing according to the embodiment may be
combination processing of the direct charging processing and the indirect
charging processing (for example, processing for first executing the
direct charging processing and executing the indirect charging processing
when the direct charging processing is not normally executed).

[0061] The power supplying apparatus according to the embodiment specifies
excess or deficiency of the value for the supplied power, on the basis of
a result of the charging processing. For example, the power supplying
apparatus according to the embodiment generates data showing the
specified excess or deficiency of the value.

[0062] The power supplying apparatus according to the embodiment generates
data showing a method of paying a deficit of the value or data showing a
method of refunding the value, on the basis of the method of paying the
deficit of the value or the method of refunding the value, which has been
set in advance or set on the basis of a user operation.

[0063] The power supplying apparatus according to the embodiment generates
a variety of information included in the evidence information and
generates the evidence information including one or more information
among the generated information, as described above.

(3) Transmission Control Processing

[0064] The power supplying apparatus according to the embodiment causes
the external communication apparatus, which can perform communication
with the communication unit or the external apparatuses of the
transmission objects connected to the power supplying apparatus, to
transmit the evidence information generated in the processing of (2)
(information generation processing) to the external apparatus of the
transmission object.

[0065] In this case, one or more external apparatuses among the external
apparatus of the power supply object and the external apparatuses other
than the external apparatus of the power supply object are exemplified as
the external apparatuses of the transmission objects according to the
embodiment. As the external apparatuses other than the external apparatus
of the power supply object in this embodiment, one or more external
apparatuses among the external apparatuses associated with the external
apparatus of the power supply object and the external apparatuses not
associated with the external apparatus of the power supply object are
exemplified. In this case, a communication apparatus such as a mobile
phone or a smart phone and a personal computer (PC) possessed by the user
of the external apparatus of the power supply object are exemplified as
the external apparatuses associated with the external apparatus of the
power supply object in this embodiment. As the external apparatuses not
associated with the external apparatus of the power supply object, an
external charging processing apparatus and a server to manage the
evidence information are exemplified. The external apparatuses associated
with the external apparatus of the power supply object in this embodiment
and the external apparatuses not associated with the external apparatus
of the power supply object in this embodiment are not limited to the
above examples.

[0066] The power supplying apparatus according to the embodiment specifies
the external apparatus of the transmission object, on the basis of
transmission destination information showing the external apparatus of
the transmission object to transmit the evidence information, which has
been set in advance or set (or reset) on the basis of a user operation.
The power supplying apparatus according to the embodiment causes the
communication unit to transmit the evidence information generated in the
processing of (2) (information generation processing) to the specified
external apparatus of the transmission object.

[0067] In this case, data including information by which the external
apparatus of the transmission object can be specified, such as an
Internet protocol (IP) address corresponding to the external apparatus of
the transmission object or a media access control (MAC) address, is
exemplified as the transmission destination information according to the
embodiment.

[0068] For example, the external apparatus that is matched with the
external apparatus shown by the identification information acquired from
the external apparatus of the power supply object among the external
apparatuses shown by the transmission destination information according
to the embodiment corresponds to the external apparatus of the power
supply object. The external apparatus that is not matched with the
external apparatus shown by the acquired identification information among
the external apparatuses shown by the transmission destination
information according to the embodiment and is associated with the
external apparatus shown by the acquired identification information in
the transmission destination information corresponds to the external
apparatus associated with the external apparatus of the power supply
object. The external apparatus that is not matched with the external
apparatus shown by the acquired identification information among the
external apparatuses shown by the transmission destination information
according to the embodiment and is not associated with the external
apparatus shown by the acquired identification information in the
transmission destination information corresponds to the external
apparatus that is not associated with the external apparatus of the power
supply object.

[0069] The power supplying apparatus according to the embodiment executes
the processing of (1) (determination processing), the processing of (2)
(information generation processing), and the processing of (3)
(transmission control processing) as the processing according to the
state management method according to the embodiment. In this case, the
power supplying apparatus according to the embodiment transmits the
evidence information, which is generated when the power supply with
respect to the external apparatus of the power supply object is disabled
on the basis of the result of the processing of (1) (determination
processing), to the external apparatus of the transmission object, in the
processing of (3) (transmission control processing). Therefore, when it
is not determined that the power supply with respect to the external
apparatus of the power supply object is enabled in the processing of (1)
(determination processing), that is, when the power supply with respect
to the external apparatus of the power supply object is disabled, the
evidence information regarding the state in which the power supply is
disabled can be stored in a recording medium included in the external
apparatus of the transmission object.

[0070] Therefore, the power supplying apparatus according to the
embodiment can securely leave information when the power supply is not
performed.

[0071] Because the information when the power supply is not performed can
be securely left, the evidence information that is acquired from the
external apparatus of the transmission object by the power supplying
apparatus according to the embodiment is information that accurately
shows when the power supply is not performed. Therefore, the power
supplying apparatus according to the embodiment acquires the evidence
information stored in the recording medium included in the external
apparatus of the transmission object from the external apparatus of the
transmission object and executes accurate charging processing.

[0072] The processing according to the state management method in the
power supplying apparatus according to the embodiment is not limited to
the processing of (1) (determination processing) to the processing of (3)
(transmission control processing). For example, the power supplying
apparatus according to the embodiment may record the evidence information
generated in the processing of (2) (information generation processing) in
the storage unit or a removable external recording medium connected to
the power supplying apparatus (recording control processing).

[0073]FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the processing
according to the state management method in the power supplying apparatus
according to the embodiment. In this case, processing of steps S100 and
S102 illustrated in FIG. 1 corresponds to the processing of (1)
(determination processing) and processing of steps S104, S106, S110,
S112, and S116 illustrated in FIG. 1 corresponds to the processing of (2)
(information generation processing). In addition, processing of steps
S108, S114, and S118 illustrated in FIG. 1 corresponds to the processing
of (3) (transmission control processing).

[0074] The power supplying apparatus according to the embodiment
determines whether the power supply with respect to the external
apparatus of the power supply object is enabled (S 100). The power
supplying apparatus according to the embodiment executes the processing
of step S100 (corresponding to the determination processing according to
the second example, the determination processing according to the third
example, and the determination processing according to the fourth
example), on the basis of the connection state of the external apparatus
in the connecting unit, the authentication result based on the
identification information, and the detection result of the external
apparatus of the power supply object. In this case, when it is determined
that the power supply with respect to the external apparatus of the power
supply object to supply power is enabled, the power supplying apparatus
according to the embodiment determines that the power supply with respect
to the external apparatus of the power supply object is enabled. When it
is not determined that the power supply with respect to the external
apparatus of the power supply object to supply power is enabled, the
power supplying apparatus according to the embodiment does not determine
that the power supply with respect to the external apparatus of the power
supply object is enabled.

[0075] When it is determined in step S100 that the power supply with
respect to the external apparatus of the power supply object is enabled,
the power supplying apparatus according to the embodiment does not
advance the processing until it is not determined that the power supply
with respect to the external apparatus of the power supply object is
enabled.

[0076] When it is not determined in step S100 that the power supply with
respect to the external apparatus of the power supply object is enabled,
the power supplying apparatus according to the embodiment determines
whether the power supply is normally completed (S102). The power
supplying apparatus according to the embodiment determines that the power
supply is normally completed, when information showing that a battery has
been fully charged is received from the external apparatus of the power
supply object or when power of a predetermined amount or power
corresponding to a predetermined amount of money is supplied.

[0077] When it is determined in step S102 that the power supply is
normally completed, the power supplying apparatus according to the
embodiment ends the processing according to the state management method
according to the embodiment.

[0078] When it is not determined in step S102 that the power supply is
normally completed, the power supplying apparatus according to the
embodiment determines whether charging for the supplied power is
performed (S 104).

[0079] When it is not determined in step S104 that the charging for the
supplied power is performed, the power supplying apparatus according to
the embodiment generates evidence information including information
regarding the charging (example of information regarding the value for
the supplied power) (S 106). In this case, data showing an amount of
money corresponding to the value or data showing value based on the money
corresponding to the value is exemplified as the information regarding
the charging in this embodiment. In the information regarding the
charging in this embodiment, the charging processing command may be
included.

[0080] If the processing of step S106 is executed, the power supplying
apparatus according to the embodiment transmits the generated evidence
information to the external apparatus of the transmission object (S108).
In this case, the power supplying apparatus according to the embodiment
specifies the external apparatus of the transmission object, on the basis
of the transmission destination information. The power supplying
apparatus according to the embodiment ends the processing according to
the state management method according to the embodiment.

[0081] When it is determined in step S104 that the charging for the
supplied power is performed, the power supplying apparatus according to
the embodiment determines whether the charging is excessive (S 110). The
power supplying apparatus according to the embodiment compares the value
actually charged by the charging processing and the value corresponding
to the amount of power actually supplied to the external apparatus of the
power supply object and determines that the charging is excessive, when
the value actually charged by the charging processing is larger than the
value corresponding to the amount of power.

[0082] When it is determined in step S110 that the charging is excessive,
the power supplying apparatus according to the embodiment generates
evidence information including information regarding a refund (example of
information regarding the value for the supplied power (S 112). In this
case, data regarding the refund of the value such as data showing
provided points, history data showing a refund amount, and data demanding
a credit refund is exemplified as the information regarding the refund in
this embodiment.

[0083] If the processing of step S112 is executed, similar to step S108,
the power supplying apparatus according to the embodiment transmits the
generated evidence information to the external apparatus of the
transmission object (S114), similar to step S108 described above. The
power supplying apparatus according to the embodiment ends the processing
according to the state management method according to the embodiment.

[0084] When it is not determined in step S110 that the charging is
excessive, the power supplying apparatus according to the embodiment
generates the evidence information (S116). In this case, the information
regarding the power supply time and/or the information regarding the
value for the supplied power is exemplified as the evidence information
generated in step S110.

[0085] If the processing of step S116 is executed, similar to step S108,
the power supplying apparatus according to the embodiment transmits the
generated evidence information to the external apparatus of the
transmission object (S118). The power supplying apparatus according to
the embodiment ends the processing according to the state management
method according the embodiment.

[0086] The power supplying apparatus according to the embodiment executes
the processing illustrated in FIG. 1 as the processing according to the
state management method. The processing of (1) (determination processing)
to the processing of (3) (transmission control processing) are realized
by the processing illustrated in FIG. 1. Therefore, the power supplying
apparatus according to the embodiment can securely leave the information
when the power supply is not performed, by executing the processing
illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0087] The processing according to the state management method in the
power supplying apparatus according to the embodiment is not limited to
the processing illustrated in FIG. 1. For example, when it is determined
in step S102 illustrated in FIG. 1 that the power supply is normally
completed, the power supplying apparatus according to the embodiment may
execute the same processing as steps S116 and S118 illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0088] For example, when it is not determined in step S104 illustrated in
FIG. 1 that the charging for the supplied power is performed, the power
supplying apparatus according to the embodiment may execute at least one
of the charging processing according to the embodiment and processing for
issuing and sending a bill to the user of the external apparatus of the
power supply object, (instead of the processing of steps S106 and S108).

[0089] For example, when it is determined in step S110 illustrated in FIG.
1 that the charging is excessive, the power supplying apparatus according
to the embodiment may execute at least one of processing for providing
points corresponding to a refund amount to the external apparatus of the
power supply object (or the user of the external apparatus of the power
supply object), credit refund processing with respect to the user of the
external apparatus of the power supply object, processing for issuing and
sending a payment notice of a refund amount to the user of the external
apparatus of the power supply object, and processing for transmitting a
refund processing command to add a value corresponding to a refund amount
to electronic value to the external apparatus of the power supply object
(or processing for transmitting electronic value of a value corresponding
to a refund amount to the external apparatus), (instead of the processing
of step S112 and S114).

[2] State Management Method in Power Receiving Apparatus According to
Embodiment

[0090] Next, a state management method in the power receiving apparatus
(corresponding to the external apparatus of the power supply object)
according to the embodiment will be described. The power receiving
apparatus according to the embodiment determines whether the evidence
information transmitted from the power supplying apparatus (power
supplying apparatus supplying power) according to the embodiment is
received (determination processing). When it is determined that the
evidence information is received in the determination processing, the
power receiving apparatus according to the embodiment records the
evidence information (recording control processing).

(I) Determination Processing

[0091] The power receiving apparatus according to the embodiment
determines whether the evidence information (evidence information
regarding a state in which the power supply in the power supplying
apparatus supplying power is disabled) according to the embodiment is
received. The power receiving apparatus according to the embodiment may
determine information that is included in the received evidence
information.

[0092] The power receiving apparatus according to the embodiment refers to
a specific portion of received data such as a header portion of the
received data and performs the determination. An example of communication
between the power supplying apparatus (or the external communication
apparatus connected to the power supplying apparatus according to the
embodiment) according to the embodiment and the power receiving apparatus
(the external apparatus of the power supply object) according to the
embodiment will be described below.

(II) Recording Control Processing

[0093] When it is determined that the evidence information is received in
the processing of (I) (determination processing), the power receiving
apparatus according to the embodiment stores the received evidence
information in the recording medium. As the recording medium in which the
power receiving apparatus according to the embodiment stores the received
evidence information, a storage unit (to be described below) included in
the power receiving apparatus according to the embodiment, a removable
external recording medium connected to the power receiving apparatus
according to the embodiment, or a recording medium included in the
external apparatus connected to the power receiving apparatus according
to the embodiment through a network (or connected directly to the power
receiving apparatus) by wire or wireless is exemplified.

[0094] The power receiving apparatus according to the embodiment executes
the processing of (I) (determination processing) and the processing of
(II) (recording control processing) as the processing according to the
state management method according to the embodiment. In this case, the
power receiving apparatus according to the embodiment stores the evidence
information according to the embodiment determined as being received in
the processing of (I) (determination processing) in the recording medium,
in the processing of (II) (recording control processing). As described
above, the evidence information according to the embodiment is
information when the power supply is not performed, which is transmitted
from the power supplying apparatus according to the embodiment when the
power supply is disabled.

[0095] Therefore, the power receiving apparatus according to the
embodiment executes the processing of (I) (determination processing) and
the processing of (II) (recording control processing) as the processing
according to the state management method according to the embodiment and
can securely leave the information when the power supply is not
performed.

[0096] The processing according to the state management method in the
power receiving apparatus according to the embodiment is not limited to
the processing of (I) (determination processing) and the processing of
(II) (recording control processing). For example, when it is determined
that the evidence information is received in the processing of (I)
(determination processing), the power receiving apparatus according to
the embodiment may selectively execute the charging processing on the
basis of the evidence information (charging processing).

(III) Charging Processing

[0097] When it is determined that information regarding the value for the
supplied power is included in the received evidence information in the
processing of (I) (determination processing), the power receiving
apparatus according to the embodiment executes the charging processing on
the basis of the information regarding the value for the supplied power
to be included in the evidence information.

[0098] In this case, processing for generating a charging processing
command to subtract a value corresponding to the value based on the
information regarding the value for the supplied power from the
electronic value and subtracting the value from the electronic value
stored in the recording medium on the basis of the charging processing
command (direct charging processing) is exemplified as the charging
processing executed by the power receiving apparatus according to the
embodiment. Similar to the charging processing in the power supplying
apparatus according to the embodiment, the power receiving apparatus
according to the embodiment may perform communication with the external
charging processing apparatus and cause the external charging processing
apparatus to perform charging for the user of the power receiving
apparatus according to the embodiment (indirect charging processing). The
charging processing in the power receiving apparatus according to the
embodiment may be combination processing of the direct charging
processing and the indirect charging processing (for example, processing
for first executing the direct charging processing and executing the
indirect charging processing when the direct charging processing is not
normally executed).

[0099] For example, when the information regarding the value for the
supplied power to be included in the evidence information includes
information regarding the charging, the power receiving apparatus
according to the embodiment executes the charging processing on the basis
of the information regarding the charging. When the information regarding
the value for the supplied power to be included in the evidence
information includes data showing an amount of supplied power and data
showing a unit price of the power, the power receiving apparatus
according to the embodiment calculates the value for the supplied power
and executes the charging processing based on the calculated value. The
example of the charging processing based on the information regarding the
value for the supplied power to be included in the evidence information
in the power receiving apparatus according to the embodiment is not
limited to the above example.

[0100]FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the processing
according to the state management method in the power receiving apparatus
according to the embodiment. In this case, processing of steps S200 and
S202 illustrated in FIG. 2 corresponds to the processing of (I)
(determination processing) and processing of steps S204 and S208
illustrated in FIG. 2 corresponds to the processing of (II) (recording
control processing). In addition, processing of step S206 illustrated in
FIG. 2 corresponds to the processing of (III) (charging processing).

[0101] The power receiving apparatus according to the embodiment
determines whether the evidence information is received (S200). When it
is not determined in step S200 that the evidence information is received,
the power receiving apparatus according to the embodiment does not
advance the processing until it is determined that the evidence
information is received.

[0102] When it is determined in step S200 that the evidence information is
received, the power receiving apparatus according to the embodiment
determines whether the information regarding the charging is included in
the evidence information (S202).

[0103] When it is not determined in step S202 that the information
regarding the charging is included in the evidence information, the power
receiving apparatus according to the embodiment stores the received
evidence information in the recording medium (S204). The power receiving
apparatus according to the embodiment ends the processing according to
the state management method according to the embodiment.

[0104] When it is determined in step S202 that the information regarding
the charging is included in the evidence information, the power receiving
apparatus according to the embodiment executes the charging processing
(S206).

[0105] The power receiving apparatus according to the embodiment stores
the evidence information in the recording medium (S208). In this case,
the evidence information that is stored in the recording medium in step
S208 may be the received evidence information or evidence information
changed by the power receiving apparatus according to the embodiment
according to the result of the processing of step S206 (for example,
evidence information to which information showing whether the charging is
normally completed is added). The power receiving apparatus according to
the embodiment ends the processing according to the state management
method according to the embodiment.

[0106] The power receiving apparatus according to the embodiment executes
the processing illustrated in FIG. 2 as the processing according to the
state management method. The processing of (I) (determination processing)
to the processing of (III) (charging processing) are realized by the
processing illustrated in FIG. 2. Therefore, the power receiving
apparatus according to the embodiment can securely leave the information
when the power supply is not performed, by executing the processing
illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0107] The processing according to the state management method in the
power receiving apparatus according to the embodiment is not limited to
the processing illustrated in FIG. 2. For example, the power receiving
apparatus according to the embodiment may not execute the processing of
steps S202, S206, and S208 illustrated in FIG. 2. Even when the
processing of steps S202, S206, and S208 illustrated in FIG. 2 is not
executed, the power receiving apparatus according to the embodiment can
realize the processing of (I) (determination processing) and the
processing of (II) (recording control processing). Therefore, even when
the processing of steps S202, S206, and S208 illustrated in FIG. 2 is not
executed, the power receiving apparatus according to the embodiment can
securely leave the information when the power supply is not performed.

(Communication According to Embodiment)

[0108] Next, communication performed between the power supplying apparatus
(or the external communication apparatus connected to the power supplying
apparatus) and the power receiving apparatus (the external apparatus of
the power supply object when viewed from the power supplying apparatus),
which relates to the processing according to the state management method
according to the embodiment, will be described. Hereinafter, the
communication according to the embodiment will be described on the basis
of an example of the case in which the power supplying apparatus
according to the embodiment and the power receiving apparatus according
to the embodiment perform communication. Hereinafter, the communication
according to the embodiment will be described on the basis of an example
of the case in which the power supplying apparatus according to the
embodiment and the power receiving apparatus according to the embodiment
are connected by a power line, that is, the case in which the power is
transmitted by wire using a power line.

[0109] As the communication that is performed between the power supplying
apparatus according to the embodiment and the power receiving apparatus
according to the embodiment, wireless communication and power line
communication (wired communication) are exemplified.

[0110] Between the power supplying apparatus according to the embodiment
and the power receiving apparatus according to the embodiment, the
wireless communication is performed using wireless communication
technology such as communication technology based on near field
communication (NFC) or radio frequency identification (RFID) technology.
Between the power supplying apparatus according to the embodiment and the
power receiving apparatus according to the embodiment, the power line
communication is performed by applying the wireless communication
technology such as the communication technology based on the NFC or the
RFID technology to the wired communication. In this case, the power line
communication according to the embodiment includes communication
(so-called contact communication) performed by a contact of a terminal of
each apparatus and communication performed by connecting the terminal of
each apparatus by wire.

[0111] The power supplying apparatus according to the embodiment includes
a high-frequency signal generating unit (to be described below)
generating a high-frequency signal and transmits the high-frequency
signal to the external apparatus. That is, the power supplying apparatus
according to the embodiment has a so-called reader/writer function.

[0112] The power receiving apparatus according to the embodiment performs
load modulation on the basis of a signal transmitted from the external
apparatus such as the power supplying apparatus according to the
embodiment and performs communication with the external apparatus. For
example, when the power receiving apparatus according to the embodiment
receives the high-frequency signal transmitted from the power supplying
apparatus according to the embodiment, the power receiving apparatus
obtains power from the received high-frequency signal, is driven,
performs the load modulation on the basis of a processing result of the
received high-frequency signal, and transmits the high-frequency signal.

[0113] For example, the power supplying apparatus according to the
embodiment and the power receiving apparatus according to the embodiment
execute the above processing and the wireless communication or the power
line communication according to the embodiment is realized between the
power supplying apparatus according to the embodiment and the power
receiving apparatus according to the embodiment.

[0114] In this case, a signal of a frequency used by the RFID or a signal
of a frequency used by non-contact communication is exemplified as the
high-frequency signal according to the embodiment. For example, 130 to
135 [kHz], 13.56 [MHz], 56 [MHz], 433 [MHz], 954.2 [MHz], 954.8 [MHz],
2441.75 [MHz], and 2448.875 [MHz] are exemplified as frequencies of the
high-frequency signal. However, the frequencies of the high-frequency
signal according to the embodiment are not limited to the above examples.
Hereinafter, a high-frequency wave that is transmitted on the basis of
the high-frequency signal according to the embodiment may be called a
"carrier".

[0115] The wireless communication according to the embodiment and the
power line communication according to the embodiment are not limited to
the communication using the wireless communication technology such as the
communication technology based on the NFC or the RFID technology. For
example, wireless communication of any system such as wireless
communication based on IEEE802.11b or power line communication such as
power line communication (PLC) (power line carrier communication) may be
performed between the power supplying apparatus according to the
embodiment and the power receiving apparatus according to the embodiment.
Hereinafter, the communication according to the embodiment will be
described on the basis of an example of the case in which the
communication using the wireless communication technology such as the
communication technology based on the NFC or the RFID technology is
performed between the power supplying apparatus according to the
embodiment and the power receiving apparatus according to the embodiment.

[1] Wireless Communication According to Embodiment

[0116] First, the wireless communication according to the embodiment will
be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the wireless
communication according to the embodiment. Hereinafter, the wireless
communication according to the embodiment will be described using a power
supplying apparatus 100A and a power receiving apparatus 200A illustrated
in FIG. 3. FIG. 3 illustrates structural elements relating to the
wireless communication according to the embodiment, of a configuration of
the power supplying apparatus according to the embodiment and a
configuration of a power receiving apparatus according to the embodiment.
In FIG. 3, a plug is illustrated as the power receiving apparatus 200A.
However, the power receiving apparatus according to the embodiment is not
limited to the plug.

[0117] The power supplying apparatus 100A includes a connecting unit 102,
a wireless communication unit 104, and a control unit 106. The power
receiving apparatus 200A includes a connecting unit 202 and a wireless
communication unit 204.

[0118] The connecting unit 102 connects a power line PL, through which
power is transmitted, to the external apparatus. The connecting unit 102
may include a connection supporting member to support maintenance of a
connection state of the connected external apparatus. In this case, a
power line through which an alternating current of a predetermined
frequency such as 50 [Hz] or 60 [Hz] or a direct current flows is
exemplified as the power line PL according to the embodiment. As the
connection supporting member according to the embodiment, a magnet is
exemplified. Hereinafter, an example of the case in which the alternating
current of the predetermined frequency flows through the power line PL
will be described.

[0119] Specifically, the connecting unit 102 has a terminal connected to
the power line PL and the connecting unit 202 has a terminal connected to
the power line PL (corresponding to an external power line, when viewed
from the power supplying apparatus 100A). The terminal of the connecting
unit 102 and the terminal of the connecting unit 202 are electrically
connected and the power supplying apparatus 100A and the power receiving
apparatus 200A (corresponding to the external apparatus, when viewed from
the power supplying apparatus 100A) are connected. In this case, the
"electrical connection of the terminal of the connecting unit 102 and the
terminal of the connecting unit 202 in this embodiment" means that the
terminals of the connecting units of the individual apparatuses contact
or are connected by wire. Similar to the connecting unit 102 included in
the power supplying apparatus 100A, the connecting unit 202 may include a
connection supporting member to support maintenance of a connection state
of the connected external apparatus.

[0120] The connecting unit 102 detects a change in the connection state of
the external apparatus (a change from a non-connection state to the
connection state/change from the connection state to the non-connection
state). The connecting unit 102 transmits a detection signal showing a
detection result to the control unit 106. When the wireless communication
unit 104 has a function of transmitting a high-frequency signal according
to the transmission of the detection signal, the connecting unit 102 may
transmit the detection signal to the wireless communication unit 104. The
connecting unit 102 may transmit the detection signal to a power
supplying unit (to be described below) included in the power supplying
apparatus according to the embodiment.

[0121] In this case, the connecting unit 102 includes a switch that
detects a physical connection state of the external apparatus. When a
state of the switch changes, the connecting unit 102 transmits the
detection signal to the control unit 106. However, the configuration of
the connecting unit 102 is not limited to the above configuration. For
example, the connecting unit 102 according to the embodiment may include
one or more sensors such as a pressure sensor and an acceleration sensor
and transmit a detection signal based on a detection result of the sensor
to the control unit 106. When the connecting unit 102 includes the
pressure sensor, a detection signal when a pressure equal to or more than
a predetermined threshold value (or more than the predetermined threshold
value) is detected shows a connection state in which the external
apparatus is connected and a detection signal when the pressure equal to
or more than the predetermined threshold value (or more than the
predetermined threshold value) is not detected shows a non-connection
state in which the external apparatus is not connected. When the
connecting unit 102 includes the acceleration sensor, each of a
connection state and a non-connection state is shown by a direction of
acceleration shown by a detection signal when acceleration equal to or
more than a predetermined threshold value (or more than the predetermined
threshold value) is detected.

[0122] When the power supplying apparatus 100A is configured to transmit a
high-frequency signal regularly/irregularly or the power supplying
apparatus 100A is configured not to execute the determination processing
according to the second example (determination processing based on the
connection state of the power line), the connecting unit 102 according to
the embodiment may be configured not to have a function relating to
detection of the change of the connection state of the external
apparatus.

[0123] The wireless communication units 104 and 204 perform the wireless
communication according to the embodiment. The communication in the
wireless communication unit 104 is controlled by the control unit 106.

[0124] The control unit 106 is configured using a micro processing unit
(MPU) or an integrated circuit in which various processing circuits are
integrated and controls individual units of the power supplying apparatus
100A. Specifically, the control unit 106 transmits a high-frequency
signal generation command or a high-frequency signal transmission stop
command to the wireless communication unit 104, on the basis of a
detection signal transmitted from the connecting unit 102 or a response
signal from the external apparatus such as the power receiving apparatus
200A to be transmitted from the wireless communication unit 104, and
controls communication in the wireless communication unit 104.

[0125] The control unit 106 takes the initiative in executing the
processing (for example, the processing of (1) (determination processing)
to the processing of (3) (transmission control processing) according to
the state management method according to the embodiment. An example of a
configuration to realize the processing according to the state management
method according to the embodiment in the control unit 106 included in
the power supplying apparatus according to the embodiment will be
described below.

[0126]FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration to
realize the wireless communication performed between the power supplying
apparatus according to the embodiment and the power receiving apparatus
according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 illustrates an example of
configurations of the wireless communication unit 104 and the control
unit 106 included in the power supplying apparatus 100A illustrated in
FIG. 3 and the wireless communication unit 204 included in the power
receiving apparatus 200A illustrated in FIG. 3.

[1-1] Wireless Communication Unit 104 of Power Supplying Apparatus
According to Embodiment

[0127] The wireless communication unit 104 includes a high-frequency
signal generating unit 150, a high-frequency wave transmitting unit 152,
and a demodulating unit 154. The wireless communication unit 104
transmits a high-frequency signal according to the high-frequency signal
generation command transmitted from the control unit 106 and stops
transmission of the high-frequency signal according to the high-frequency
signal transmission stop command transmitted from the control unit 106.

[0128] The wireless communication unit 104 may include an encryption
circuit (not illustrated in the drawings) to encrypt communication, a
communication collision prevention (anti-collision) circuit, and a
connection interface (not illustrated in the drawings) for connection
with the external apparatus or other circuits. In this case, the wireless
communication unit 104 connects the individual structural elements by a
bus functioning as a transmission path of data. As the connection
interface, a universal asynchronous receiver transmitter (UART), a LAN
terminal, and a transmission/reception circuit are exemplified.

[0129] The high-frequency signal generating unit 150 receives the
high-frequency signal generation command from the control unit 106 and
generates a high-frequency signal according to the high-frequency signal
generation command. In FIG. 4, an alternating-current power supply is
illustrated as the high-frequency signal generating unit 150. However,
the high-frequency signal generating unit 150 according to the embodiment
is not limited to the above example. For example, the high-frequency
signal generating unit 150 according to the embodiment can be configured
using a modulation circuit (not illustrated in the drawings) to perform
amplitude shift keying (ASK) modulation and an amplification circuit (not
illustrated in the drawings) to amplify an output of the modulation
circuit.

[0130] In this case, a high-frequency signal including an identification
information transmission request to request the external apparatus to
transmit identification information or a high-frequency signal including
various processing commands with respect to the external apparatus or
processing data is exemplified as the high-frequency signal generated by
the high-frequency signal generating unit 150. The high-frequency signal
that is generated by the high-frequency signal generating unit 150 is not
limited to the above example. For example, the high-frequency signal
according to the embodiment may be a signal (non-modulation signal) to
execute a function of supplying power to the power line communication
unit 208 of the power receiving apparatus 200A to be described below.

[0131] The high-frequency wave transmitting unit 152 includes a coil
(inductor; this is applicable to the following description) L1 having
predetermined inductance and transmits a carrier according to the
high-frequency signal generated by the high-frequency signal generating
unit 150. The high-frequency wave transmitting unit 152 can receive a
response signal from the external apparatus. That is, the high-frequency
wave transmitting unit 152 can execute a function as a communication
antenna of the wireless communication unit 104. In FIG. 4, an example of
the case in which the high-frequency wave transmitting unit 152 is
configured using the coil L1 is illustrated. However, the configuration
of the high-frequency wave transmitting unit 152 according to the
embodiment is not limited to the above example. For example, the
high-frequency wave transmitting unit according to the embodiment may
include a capacitor and form a resonance circuit.

[0132] The demodulating unit 154 performs envelope detection of an
amplitude change of a voltage at an antenna end of the high-frequency
wave transmitting unit 152, binarizes a detected signal, and demodulates
a response signal from the external apparatus. A demodulation mechanism
of the response signal in the demodulating unit 154 is not limited to the
above example. For example, the demodulating unit 154 can demodulate the
response signal using a phase change of the voltage at the antenna end of
the high-frequency wave transmitting unit 152.

[0133] The demodulating unit 154 transmits the demodulated response signal
to the control unit 106. The control unit 106 to which the demodulated
response signal has been transmitted executes various processing such as
processing data corresponding to the response signal and generating a
high-frequency signal generation command on the basis of a processing
result.

[0134] By the configuration illustrated in FIG. 4, the wireless
communication unit 104 transmits the carrier and demodulates the response
signal transmitted from the external apparatus such as the power
receiving apparatus 200A. However, the configuration of the wireless
communication unit 104 according to the embodiment is not limited to the
configuration illustrated in FIG. 4.

[1-2] Wireless Communication Unit 204 of Power Receiving Apparatus
According to Embodiment

[0135] The wireless communication unit 204 includes a communication
antenna 250 and an IC chip 252. The wireless communication unit 204
connects the individual structural elements by a bus 272 functioning as a
transmission path of data.

[0136] The communication antenna 250 receives the carrier transmitted from
the external apparatus such as the power supplying apparatus 100A and
transmits a response signal based on a processing result of processing in
the IC chip 252.

[0137] The communication antenna 250 is configured using a resonance
circuit that includes a coil (inductor) L2 having predetermined
inductance and a capacitor C1 having predetermined capacitance and
generates an inductive voltage by electromagnetic induction according to
reception of the carrier. The communication antenna 250 outputs a
reception voltage that is obtained by resonating the inductive voltage
with a predetermined resonance frequency. In this case, the resonance
frequency in the communication antenna 250 is set according to a
frequency of the carrier such as 13.56 [MHz]. By the above configuration,
the communication antenna 250 receives the carrier and transmits a
response signal by load modulation performed in a load modulating unit
264 (to be described below) included in the IC chip 252.

[0138] The IC chip 252 demodulates a high-frequency signal on the basis of
the received carrier, processes the high-frequency signal, and transmits
a response signal from the communication antenna 250 by the load
modulation. That is, the IC chip 252 executes a function as the
substantial wireless communication unit of taking the initiative in
performing the wireless communication, in the wireless communication unit
204.

[0139] The IC chip 252 includes a carrier detecting unit 254, a detecting
unit 256, a regulator 258, a demodulating unit 260, a data processing
unit 262, a load modulating unit 264, a read only memory (ROM) 266, a
random access memory (RAM) 268, and an internal memory 270. The data
processing unit 262, the ROM 266, the RAM 268, and the internal memory
270 are connected by the bus 272 functioning as a transmission path of
data. Although not illustrated in FIG. 4, the IC chip 252 may further
include a protection circuit (not illustrated in the drawings) to prevent
an overvoltage or an overcurrent from being applied to the data
processing unit 262. In this case, a clamp circuit composed of a diode is
exemplified as the protection circuit (not illustrated in the drawings).

[0140] The carrier detecting unit 254 generates a rectangular detection
signal on the basis of a reception voltage transmitted from the
communication antenna 250 and transmits the detection signal to the data
processing unit 262. The data processing unit 262 uses the transmitted
detection signal as a processing clock for data processing. In this case,
because the detection signal is based on the reception voltage
transmitted from the communication antenna 250, the detection signal is
synchronized with the frequency of the carrier transmitted from the
external apparatus. Therefore, the IC chip 252 includes the carrier
detecting unit 254 and can execute processing with the external apparatus
in synchronization with the external apparatus.

[0141] The detecting unit 256 rectifies the reception voltage that is
output from the communication antenna 250. In this case, the detecting
unit 256 is configured using a diode D1 and a capacitor C2.

[0142] The regulator 258 smoothes the reception voltage, converts the
reception voltage into a constant voltage, and outputs a driving voltage
to the data processing unit 262. In this case, the regulator 258 uses a
direct-current component of the reception voltage as the driving voltage.

[0143] The demodulating unit 260 demodulates the high-frequency signal on
the basis of the reception voltage and outputs data (for example,
binarized data signal of a high level and a low level) corresponding to
the high-frequency signal included in the carrier. In this case, the
demodulating unit 260 outputs an alternating-current component of the
reception voltage as data.

[0144] The data processing unit 262 is driven using the driving voltage
output from the regulator 258 as a power supply and processes data
demodulated in the demodulating unit 260. In this case, the data
processing unit 262 is configured using an MPU or various processing
circuits.

[0145] The data processing unit 262 selectively generates a control signal
to control the load modulation relating to a response to the external
apparatus, according to a processing result. The data processing unit 262
selectively outputs the control signal to the load modulating unit 264.

[0146] The data processing unit 262 reads and updates data stored in the
internal memory 270, on the basis of a command included in the data
demodulated in the demodulating unit 260.

[0147] The load modulating unit 264 includes a load Z and a switch SW1.
The load modulating unit 264 selectively connects (validates) the load Z
according to the control signal transmitted from the data processing unit
262 and performs the load modulation. In this case, the load Z is
configured using a resistor having a predetermined resistance value.
However, the load Z is not limited to the above example. The switch SW1
is configured using a p-channel-type metal oxide semiconductor field
effect transistor (MOSFET) or an n-channel-type MOSFET. However, the
switch SW1 is not limited to the above example.

[0148] The ROM 266 stores data for control such as a program or an
operation parameter used by the data processing unit 262. The RAM 268
temporarily stores a program executed by the data processing unit 262, an
operation result, and an execution state.

[0149] The internal memory 270 is a storage unit included in the IC chip
252 and has tamper resistance. In the internal memory 270, data is read,
newly written, and updated by the data processing unit 262. The internal
memory 270 stores various data such as identification information,
electronic value, and an application. In FIG. 4, the example of the case
in which the internal memory 270 stores identification information 274
and electronic value 276 is illustrated. However, the data that is stored
in the internal memory 270 is not limited to the above example.

[0150] By the configuration illustrated in FIG. 4, the IC chip 252
processes the high-frequency signal received by the communication antenna
250 and transmits the response signal from the communication antenna 250
by the load modulation.

[0151] The wireless communication unit 204 includes the communication
antenna 250 and the IC chip 252, processes the high-frequency signal
transmitted from the external apparatus such as the power supplying
apparatus 100A, and transmits the response signal by the load modulation.
The configuration of the wireless communication unit 204 according to the
embodiment is not limited to the configuration illustrated in FIG. 4. For
example, the wireless communication unit 204 may not include the
structural elements forming the IC chip 252 illustrated in FIG. 4 in a
form of an integrated circuit (IC) chip.

[0152] In the power supplying apparatus and the power receiving apparatus
according to the embodiment, the wireless communication unit 104
illustrated in FIG. 4 is included in the power supplying apparatus
according to the embodiment, the wireless communication unit 204
illustrated in FIG. 4 is included in the power receiving apparatus
according to the embodiment, and the wireless communication can be
performed using the wireless communication technology such as the
communication technology based on the NFC.

[0153] In this case, the wireless communication is performed using the
wireless communication technology such as the communication technology
based on the NFC or the RFID technology, so that the power receiving
apparatus according to the embodiment can obtain power from the received
high-frequency signal, can be driven, can perform the load modulation,
and can transmit the stored information. That is, in a communication
system that includes the power supplying apparatus and the power
receiving apparatus according to the embodiment, the power receiving
apparatus according to the embodiment can perform wireless communication,
even though the power receiving apparatus does not include a separate
power supply circuit for communication. The power receiving apparatus
according to the embodiment can transmit the stored information by
performing the load modulation, even though a signal according to a user
operation (signal showing an instruction from the user) is not input to
the power receiving apparatus.

[2] Power Line Communication According to Embodiment

[0154] Next, the power line communication according to the embodiment will
be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the power
line communication according to the embodiment. Hereinafter, the power
line communication according to the embodiment will be described using a
power supplying apparatus 100B and a power receiving apparatus 200B
illustrated in FIG. 5. FIG. 5 illustrates structural elements relating to
the power line communication according to the embodiment, of a
configuration of the power supplying apparatus according to the
embodiment and a configuration of the power receiving apparatus according
to the embodiment. The structural elements relating to the power line
communication in the power receiving apparatus according to the
embodiment may be provided in the plug, as in the power receiving
apparatus 200A illustrated in FIG. 3.

[2-1] Power Supplying Apparatus 100B

[0155] The power supplying apparatus 100B includes a connecting unit 102,
a control unit 106, a power line communication unit 108, a first filter
110 (communication filter), and a second filter 112.

[0156] The power supplying apparatus 100B may further include a ROM, a
RAM, a storage unit, and a display unit that are not illustrated in the
drawings. The power supplying apparatus 100B connects the structural
elements by a bus functioning as a transmission path of data. In this
case, the ROM (not illustrated in the drawings) stores data for control
such as a program or an operation parameter used by the control unit 106.
The RAM temporarily stores the program that is executed by the control
unit 106.

[0157] The storage unit is a storage mechanism included in the power
supplying apparatus 100B and stores various data such as identification
information acquired from the external apparatus such as the power
receiving apparatus 200B, transmission destination information, and an
application. In this case, a magnetic recording medium such as a hard
disk or a nonvolatile memory such as an electrically erasable and
programmable read only memory (EEPROM), a flash memory, a
magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM), a ferroelectric random
access memory (FeRAM), and a phase change random access memory (PRAM) is
exemplified as the storage unit. The storage unit may be removed from the
power supplying apparatus 100B.

[0158] The display unit is a display mechanism included in the power
supplying apparatus 100B and displays a variety of information (for
example, an image and/or a character) on a display screen. As the display
screen of the display unit, an operation screen to cause the power
supplying apparatus 100B to execute a desired operation is exemplified.

[0159] In this case, a display device such as a liquid crystal display or
an organic electro-luminescence (EL) display (or organic light emitting
diode (OLED) display) is exemplified as the display unit. The power
supplying apparatus 100B can form the display unit with a touch screen.
In the above case, the display unit functions as an operation display
unit in which both a user operation and display are enabled.

[0160] The power supplying apparatus 100B can perform communication with
an external terminal through a network (or directly) and display the
operation screen or the various information on a display screen of the
external terminal, regardless of whether the power supplying apparatus
100B includes the display unit. For example, when the external terminal
is an external terminal (for example, a portable communication apparatus
or a remote controller) possessed by a user of the power supplying
apparatus 100B, the user can operate the possessed external terminal and
cause the power supplying apparatus 100B to execute desired processing.
In addition, the user can confirm information transmitted from the power
supplying apparatus 100B, using the external terminal. Therefore, even
when it is difficult for the user to directly operate the power supplying
apparatus 100B or view information displayed on the display unit, for
example, the power supplying apparatus 100B is disposed under a desk,
convenience of the user can be improved.

[0161] The control unit 106 is configured using an MPU or an integrated
circuit in which various processing circuits are integrated and controls
the individual units of the power supplying apparatus 100B. Specifically,
the control unit 106 transmits a high-frequency signal generation command
or a high-frequency signal transmission stop command to the power line
communication unit 108, on the basis of a detection signal transmitted
from the connecting unit 102 or a response signal from the external
apparatus such as the power receiving apparatus 200B to be transmitted
from the power line communication unit 108, and controls communication in
the power line communication unit 108. The control unit 106 transmits the
high-frequency signal generation command or the high-frequency signal
transmission stop command to the power line communication unit 108, on
the basis of the detection signal, so that the control unit 106 can
perform communication with the external apparatus connected through the
power line in actuality.

[0162] The control unit 106 transmits the high-frequency signal generation
command or the high-frequency signal transmission stop command to the
power line communication unit 108 as described above, so that the power
line communication unit 108 can transmit the high-frequency signal on the
basis of the detection result in the connecting unit 102. The control
unit 106 transmits the high-frequency signal generation command or the
high-frequency signal transmission stop command to the power line
communication unit 108, on the basis of the response signal, so that the
control unit 106 can control communication using the power line between
the external apparatus such as the power receiving apparatus 200B and the
control unit 106. The control unit 106 may transmit the high-frequency
signal generation command to the power line communication unit 108
regularly/irregularly and cause the power line communication unit 108 to
transmit the high-frequency signal regularly/irregularly.

[0163] The control unit 106 takes the initiative in executing the
processing according to the state management method according to the
embodiment (for example, the processing of (1) (determination processing)
to the processing of (3) (transmission control processing), as described
above. An example of a configuration to realize the processing according
to the state management method according to the embodiment in the control
unit 106 included in the power supplying apparatus according to the
embodiment will be described below.

[0164] The power line communication unit 108 performs communication with
the external apparatus such as the power receiving apparatus 200B through
the power line.

[0165]FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of
the power line communication unit 108 included in the power supplying
apparatus 100B according to the embodiment. In FIG. 6, the power line
communication unit 108 is illustrated in conjunction with the control
unit 106 and the first filter 110. The power line communication unit 108
includes a high-frequency signal generating unit 156 and a demodulating
unit 158 and executes a function as a reader/writer (or an interrogator)
in the NFC. The power line communication unit 108 may further include an
encryption circuit (not illustrated in the drawings) or a communication
collision prevention (anti-collision) circuit.

[0166] The high-frequency signal generating unit 156 receives the
high-frequency signal generation command transmitted from the control
unit 106 and generates a high-frequency signal according to the
high-frequency signal generation command. The high-frequency signal
generating unit 156 receives the high-frequency signal transmission stop
command that is transmitted from the control unit 106 and shows the
transmission stop of the high-frequency signal and stops generation of
the high-frequency signal. In FIG. 6, an alternating-current power supply
is illustrated as the high-frequency signal generating unit 156. However,
the high-frequency signal generating unit 156 according to the embodiment
is not limited to the above example. For example, the high-frequency
signal generating unit 132 according to the embodiment can include a
modulation circuit (not illustrated in the drawings) to perform ASK
modulation and an amplification circuit (not illustrated in the drawings)
to amplify an output of the modulation circuit.

[0167] In this case, a high-frequency signal including an identification
information transmission request to request the external apparatus to
transmit identification information or a high-frequency signal including
various processing commands with respect to the external apparatus or
processing data is exemplified as the high-frequency signal generated by
the high-frequency signal generating unit 156. The high-frequency signal
that is generated by the high-frequency signal generating unit 156 is not
limited to the above example. For example, the high-frequency signal
according to the embodiment may be a signal (non-modulation signal) to
execute a function of supplying power to the power line communication
unit 208 of the power receiving apparatus 200B to be described below.

[0168] The demodulating unit 158 performs envelope detection of an
amplitude change of a voltage between the high-frequency signal
generating unit 156 and the first filter 110, binarizes a detected
signal, and demodulates a response signal transmitted from the external
apparatus. The demodulating unit 158 transmits the demodulated response
signal (for example, a response signal showing identification information
or a response signal showing a response based on the processing according
to the high-frequency signal) to the control unit 106. A demodulation
mechanism of the response signal in the demodulating unit 158 is not
limited to the above example. For example, the demodulating unit 158 can
demodulate the response signal using a phase change of the voltage
between the high-frequency signal generating unit 156 and the first
filter 110.

[0169] By the configuration illustrated in FIG. 6, the power line
communication unit 108 according to the embodiment executes a function as
the reader/writer in the NFC and can perform communication with the
external apparatus through the power line.

[0170] The configuration of the power line communication unit 108
according to the embodiment is not limited to the configuration
illustrated in FIG. 6. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating another example
of the power line communication unit 108 included in the power supplying
apparatus 100B according to the embodiment. Similar to FIG. 6, FIG. 7
illustrates the power line communication unit 108 in conjunction with the
control unit 106 and the first filter 110.

[0171] The power line communication unit 108 according to another example
includes a high-frequency signal generating unit 156, a demodulating unit
158, a first high-frequency wave transmitting/receiving unit 160, and a
second high-frequency wave transmitting/receiving unit 162. The power
line communication unit 108 according to another example may further
include an encryption circuit (not illustrated in the drawings) or a
communication collision prevention (anti-collision) circuit.

[0172] Similar to the high-frequency signal generating unit 156
illustrated in FIG. 6, the high-frequency signal generating unit 156
generates a high-frequency signal according to the high-frequency signal
generation command and stops generation of the high-frequency signal
according to the high-frequency signal transmission stop command.

[0173] The demodulating unit 158 performs envelope detection of an
amplitude change of a voltage at an antenna end of the high-frequency
signal generating unit 156, binarizes a detected signal, and demodulates
a response signal transmitted from the external apparatus. A demodulation
mechanism of the response signal in the demodulating unit 158 is not
limited to the above example. For example, the demodulating unit 158 can
demodulate the response signal using a phase change of the voltage at the
antenna end of the high-frequency signal generating unit 156.

[0174] The first high-frequency wave transmitting/receiving unit 160
includes a coil (inductor) L3 having predetermined inductance and a
capacitor C3 having predetermined capacitance and forms a resonance
circuit. In this case, a frequency of a high-frequency signal such as
13.56 [MHz] is exemplified as a resonance frequency of the first
high-frequency wave transmitting/receiving unit 156. By the above
configuration, the first high-frequency wave transmitting/receiving unit
160 can transmit the high-frequency signal generated by the
high-frequency signal generating unit 156 and can receive the response
signal transmitted from the external apparatus to be transmitted from the
second high-frequency wave transmitting/receiving unit 162. That is, the
first high-frequency wave transmitting/receiving unit 160 executes a
function as a first communication antenna in the power line communication
unit 108.

[0175] The second high-frequency wave transmitting/receiving unit 162
includes a coil L4 having predetermined inductance and a capacitor C4
having predetermined capacitance and forms a resonance circuit. In this
case, a frequency of a high-frequency signal such as 13.56 [MHz] is
exemplified as a resonance frequency of the second high-frequency wave
transmitting/receiving unit 162. By the above configuration, the second
high-frequency wave transmitting/receiving unit 162 can receive the
high-frequency signal transmitted from the first high-frequency wave
transmitting/receiving unit 160 and transmit the response signal
transmitted from the external apparatus. That is, the second
high-frequency wave transmitting/receiving unit 162 executes a function
as a second communication antenna in the power line communication unit
108.

[0176] Similar to the configuration illustrated in FIG. 6, by the
configuration illustrated in FIG. 7, the power line communication unit
108 according to the embodiment can execute a function as the
reader/writer in the NFC and can perform communication with the external
apparatus through the power line.

[0177] Referring to FIG. 5 again, an example of a configuration relating
to the power line communication according to the embodiment in the power
supplying apparatus 100B according to the embodiment will be described.
The first filter 110 is connected between the power line communication
unit 108 and the power line PL and filters a signal transmitted from the
power line PL. Specifically, the first filter 110 has a function of
intercepting at least a signal of a frequency of power supplied to the
external apparatus such as the power receiving apparatus 200B through the
power line and not intercepting a high-frequency signal, among signals
transmitted from the power line PL. The power supplying apparatus 100B
includes the first filter 110 and does not transmit a signal of a
frequency of power, which may become noise, to the power line
communication unit 108. Therefore, precision of communication between the
power line communication unit 108 and the external apparatus (in the
strict sense, the power line communication unit included in the external
apparatus, such as the power line communication unit 208 of the power
receiving apparatus 200B to be described below) can be improved.

[0178] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of
the first filter 110 included in the power supplying apparatus 100B
according to the embodiment. The first filter 110 includes coils L5 and
L6, capacitors C5 to C7, and surge absorbers SA1 to SA3. However, the
configuration of the first filter 110 according to the embodiment is not
limited to the configuration illustrated in FIG. 8.

[0179] Referring to FIG. 5 again, an example of a configuration relating
to the power line communication according to the embodiment in the power
supplying apparatus 100B according to the embodiment will be described.
The second filter 112 is provided on the power line PL between the
connecting unit 102 and the power supply and filters a signal that may be
transmitted from the side of the connecting unit 102. In this case, an
external power supply such as a commercial power supply or an internal
power supply such as a battery is exemplified as the power supply
according to the embodiment.

[0180] Specifically, the second filter 112 has a function of intercepting
at least the high-frequency signal transmitted by the power line
communication unit 108 or the high-frequency signal transmitted by the
external apparatus and not intercepting a signal of a frequency of power
supplied to the external apparatus. The power supplying apparatus 100B
includes the second filter 112 and can intercept the high-frequency
signal relating to communication through the power line or a noise
component transmitted from the side of the external apparatus. That is,
the second filter 112 executes a function as a so-called power splitter.

[0181]FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of
the second filter 112 included in the power supplying apparatus 100B
according to the embodiment. The second filter 112 includes coils L7 and
L8, a capacitor C8, and a surge absorber SA4. The configuration of the
second filter 112 according to the embodiment is not limited to the
configuration illustrated in FIG. 9.

[0182] By the configuration illustrated in FIG. 5, the power supplying
apparatus 100B according to the embodiment can perform communication with
the external apparatus such as the power receiving apparatus 200B
connected to the connecting unit 102 through the power line. By the
configuration illustrated in FIG. 5, the power supplying apparatus 100B
according to the embodiment can cause the external apparatus to execute
predetermined processing based on the transmitted high-frequency signal,
such as transmission of identification information or charging processing
using electronic value.

[2-2] Power Receiving Apparatus 200B

[0183] The power receiving apparatus 200B includes a connecting unit 202,
a first filter 206, a power line communication unit 208, and a second
filter 210.

[0184] The power receiving apparatus 200B includes a battery (not
illustrated in the drawings) or various devices (for example, an MPU,
various processing circuits, and a driving device which are not
illustrated in the drawings) to realize a function of the power receiving
apparatus 200B, at a rear step of the second filter 210 (the side
opposite to the power supplying apparatus 100B in the second filter 210
illustrated in FIG. 5). That is, the power receiving apparatus 200B can
charge the battery with power supplied from the external apparatus such
as the power supplying apparatus 100B through the power line and can
realize the function of the power receiving apparatus 200B using the
supplied power. For example, when the power receiving apparatus 200B is a
vehicle such as an electric vehicle, the power receiving apparatus 200B
receives power, charges the embedded battery with the power, and rotates
a wheel using the power of the battery. When the power receiving
apparatus 200B includes a display device that can display an image
(moving image/still image) and/or a character, the power receiving
apparatus 200B receives power and displays the image or the character on
a display screen of the display device.

[0185] The first filter 206 is connected between the power line (in the
strict sense, the power line PL in the power receiving apparatus 200B)
and the power line communication unit 208 and filters a signal
transmitted from the power line. Specifically, the first filter 206 has a
function of intercepting at least a signal of a frequency of power and
not intercepting a high-frequency signal, among signals transmitted from
the power line. The power receiving apparatus 200B includes the first
filter 206 and does not transmit a signal of a frequency of power, which
may become noise, to the power line communication unit 208. Therefore,
precision of communication between the power line communication unit 208
and the external apparatus (in the strict sense, the power line
communication unit included in the external apparatus, such as the power
line communication unit 108 of the power supplying apparatus 100B) can be
improved.

[0186] In this case, the first filter 206 has the same configuration as
the first filter 110 of the power supplying apparatus 100B illustrated in
FIG. 8. The configuration of the first filter 206 according to the
embodiment is not limited to the configuration illustrated in FIG. 8.

[0187] By the high-frequency signal, the power line communication unit 208
performs communication with the external apparatus such as the power
supplying apparatus 100B through the power line. Specifically, when the
power line communication unit 208 receives the high-frequency signal
transmitted from the external apparatus, the power line communication
unit 208 obtains power from the high-frequency signal, is driven, and
executes processing based on the received high-frequency signal. The
power line communication unit 208 transmits a response signal according
to the processing as the high-frequency signal by the load modulation.

[0188] For example, when the power line communication unit 208 receives a
high-frequency signal including an identification information
transmission request to request for transmission of identification
information, the power line communication unit 208 reads the stored
identification information, on the basis of the identification
information transmission request included in the high-frequency signal.
The power line communication unit 208 superposes the read identification
information on the power line by the load modulation and transmits the
identification information. When the power line communication unit 208
receives a high-frequency signal including various processing commands or
processing data, the power line communication unit 208 executes
processing based on the processing commands or the processing data
included in the high-frequency signal. The power line communication unit
208 superposes a response signal based on the processing on the power
line by the load modulation and transmits the response signal. That is,
the power line communication unit 208 executes a function as a
transponder in the NFC.

[0189]FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of
the power line communication unit 208 included in the power receiving
apparatus 200B according to the embodiment. In FIG. 10, the power line
communication unit 208 is illustrated in conjunction with the first
filter 206. In FIG. 10, the power line communication unit 208 includes an
IC chip 280 that demodulates the received high-frequency signal,
processes the high-frequency signal, and transmits the response signal by
the load modulation. The power line communication unit 208 according to
the embodiment may not include structural elements forming the IC chip
280 illustrated in FIG. 10 in a form of the IC chip.

[0190] The IC chip 280 includes a detecting unit 254, a detecting unit
256, a regulator 258, a demodulating unit 260, a data processing unit
262, and a load modulating unit 264. Although not illustrated in FIG. 10,
the IC chip 280 may further include a protection circuit (not illustrated
in the drawings) to prevent an overvoltage or an overcurrent from being
applied to the data processing unit 262. In this case, a clamp circuit
composed of a diode is exemplified as the protection circuit (not
illustrated in the drawings).

[0191] The IC chip 280 includes a ROM 234, a RAM 236, and an internal
memory 238. The data processing unit 262, the ROM 234, the RAM 236, and
the internal memory 238 are connected by a bus 240 functioning as a
transmission path of data.

[0192] In this case, if the configuration of the IC chip 280 illustrated
in FIG. 10 and the configuration of the IC chip 252 included in the
wireless communication unit 204 of FIG. 4, which relates to the wireless
communication according to the embodiment, are compared with each other,
the IC chip 280 has the same configuration as the IC chip 252 illustrated
in FIG. 4.

[0193] As described above, a high-frequency signal based on a carrier
received by the communication antenna 250 is input to the IC chip 252
illustrated in FIG. 4 and the IC chip 252 demodulates the high-frequency
signal based on the carrier received by the communication antenna 250,
processes the high-frequency signal, and transmits the response signal
from the communication antenna 250 by the load modulation. Meanwhile, the
high-frequency signal transmitted from the external apparatus such as the
power supplying apparatus 100B to be transmitted from the first filter
206 is input to the IC chip 280. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the IC chip
280 has the same configuration as the IC chip 252 illustrated in FIG. 4.
Therefore, similar to the IC chip 252 illustrated in FIG. 4, the IC chip
280 can demodulate the input high-frequency signal, process the
high-frequency signal, and transmit the response signal according to the
high-frequency signal by the load modulation.

[0194] The IC chip 280 is connected to the first filter 206 as illustrated
in FIG. 10 and the first filter 206 is connected to the power line PL as
illustrated in FIG. 5. Therefore, the response signal that is transmitted
from the IC chip 280 is superposed on the power line through the first
filter 206.

[0195] By the configuration illustrated in FIG. 10, the IC chip 280
processes the received high-frequency signal, superposes the response
signal on the power line by the load modulation, and transmits the
response signal. The configuration of the IC chip 280 according to the
embodiment is not limited to the configuration illustrated in FIG. 10.

[0196] By the configuration illustrated in FIG. 10, the power line
communication unit 208 obtains power from the received high-frequency
signal, is driven, and executes processing shown by the received
high-frequency signal, and can transmit the response signal according to
the processing by the load modulation.

[0197] The configuration of the power line communication unit 208
according to the embodiment is not limited to the configuration
illustrated in FIG. 10. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating another example
of the configuration of the power line communication unit 208 included in
the power receiving apparatus 200B according to the embodiment. In FIG.
11, the power line communication unit 208 is illustrated in conjunction
with the first filter 206. The power line communication unit 208
according to the embodiment may not include the structural elements
forming the IC chip 280 illustrated in FIG. 11 in a form of an IC chip.

[0198] The power line communication unit 208 according to another
embodiment includes a first high-frequency wave transmitting/receiving
unit 282, a second high-frequency wave transmitting/receiving unit 284,
and an IC chip 280.

[0199] The first high-frequency wave transmitting/receiving unit 282
includes a coil L9 having predetermined inductance and a capacitor C9
having predetermined capacitance and forms a resonance circuit. In this
case, a frequency of a high-frequency signal such as 13.56 [MHz] is
exemplified as a resonance frequency of the first high-frequency wave
transmitting/receiving unit 282. By the above configuration, the first
high-frequency wave transmitting/receiving unit 282 can transmit the
high-frequency signal transmitted from the first filter 206 and receive
the response signal transmitted from the second high-frequency wave
transmitting/receiving unit 284. That is, the first high-frequency wave
transmitting/receiving unit 282 executes a function as a first
communication antenna in the power line communication unit 208.

[0200] The second high-frequency wave transmitting/receiving unit 284
includes a coil L10 having predetermined inductance and a capacitor C10
having predetermined capacitance and forms a resonance circuit. In this
case, a frequency of a high-frequency signal such as 13.56 [MHz] is
exemplified as a resonance frequency of the second high-frequency wave
transmitting/receiving unit 284. By the above configuration, the second
high-frequency wave transmitting/receiving unit 284 can receive the
high-frequency signal transmitted from the first high-frequency wave
transmitting/receiving unit 282 and transmit the response signal.
Specifically, the second high-frequency wave transmitting/receiving unit
284 generates an inductive voltage by electromagnetic induction according
to reception of the high-frequency signal and outputs a reception voltage
obtained by resonating the inductive voltage with a predetermined
resonance frequency to the IC chip 280. The second high-frequency wave
transmitting/receiving unit 284 performs transmission of the response
signal by the load modulation performed in the load modulating unit 264
included in the IC chip 280. That is, the second high-frequency wave
transmitting/receiving unit 284 executes a function as a second
communication antenna in the power line communication unit 208.

[0201] The IC chip 280 executes the same processing as the IC chip 280
illustrated in FIG. 10, on the basis of the reception voltage transmitted
from the second high-frequency wave transmitting/receiving unit 284.

[0202] Similar to the configuration illustrated in FIG. 10, by the
configuration illustrated in FIG. 11, the power line communication unit
208 obtains power from the received high-frequency signal, is driven, and
executes processing shown by the received high-frequency signal, and can
transmit the response signal according to the processing by the load
modulation. When the power line communication unit 208 has the
configuration illustrated in FIG. 11, the IC chip relating to the NFC or
the RFID can be diverted and mounting is facilitated.

[0203] Referring to FIG. 5 again, an example of a configuration relating
to the power line communication according to the embodiment in the power
receiving apparatus 200B according to the embodiment will be described.
The second filter 210 executes a function of filtering a signal that may
be transmitted from the side of the external apparatus such as the power
supplying apparatus 100B through the power line PL. Specifically, the
second filter 210 has a function of intercepting at least the
high-frequency signal transmitted by the external apparatus or the
high-frequency signal transmitted by the power line communication unit
208 and not intercepting a signal of a frequency of power supplied
through the power line PL. The power receiving apparatus 200B includes
the second filter 210 and can intercept the high-frequency signal
relating to communication through the power line or a noise component
transmitted from the side of the external apparatus. That is, the second
filter 210 executes a function as a so-called power splitter, similar to
the second filter 112 included in the power supplying apparatus 100B.

[0204] In this case, the second filter 210 can have the same configuration
as the second filter 112 of the power supplying apparatus 100B
illustrated in FIG. 9. The configuration of the second filter 210
according to the embodiment is not limited to the configuration
illustrated in FIG. 9.

[0205] In the power supplying apparatus and the power receiving apparatus
according to the embodiment, the power line communication unit 108
illustrated in FIG. 5 is included in the power supplying apparatus
according to the embodiment and the power line communication unit 208
illustrated in FIG. 5 is included in the power receiving apparatus
according to the embodiment. Thereby, the power line communication in
which the wireless communication technology such as the communication
technology based on the NFC is applied to the wired communication can be
performed.

[0206] In this case, because a circuit scale of a communication device
using the wireless communication technology such as the communication
technology based on the NFC is significantly smaller than a circuit scale
of an existing PLC modem, a size of the communication device can be
decreased to a size of the IC chip. For example, apparatuses that can
perform communication using the wireless communication technology such as
the communication technology based on the NFC, such as a mobile phone on
which an IC card or an IC chip is mounted, have spread. Therefore, the
communication device using the wireless communication technology such as
the communication technology based on the NFC or the RFID technology is
cheaper than the existing PLC modem.

[0207] By applying the wireless communication technology such as the
communication technology based on the NFC or the RFID technology to the
wired communication, the power receiving apparatus according to the
embodiment obtains power from the high-frequency signal received through
the power line, is driven, and performs the load modulation, and can
transmits the stored information. That is, in a communication system that
includes the power supplying apparatus and the power receiving apparatus
according to the embodiment, the power receiving apparatus can perform
communication by wire, even though the power receiving apparatus does not
include a separate power supply circuit to perform communication. The
power receiving apparatus according to the embodiment can transmit the
stored information by performing the load modulating, even though a
signal according to a user operation (signal showing an instruction of
the user) is not input to the power receiving apparatus.

[0208] Therefore, if the wireless communication technology such as the
communication technology based on the NFC or the RFID technology is used,
wired communication that enables reduction of a cost, alleviation of a
limitation of the size of the communication device, and reduction of
consumption power as compared with the case in which the wired
communication according to the related art such as the existing PLC is
used can be realized.

(Power Supplying Apparatus According to Embodiment)

[0209] Next, an example of a configuration of the power supplying
apparatus according to the embodiment that can execute the processing
according to the state management method according to the embodiment will
be described. Hereinafter, the example of the configuration of the power
supplying apparatus according to the embodiment will be described on the
basis of an example of the case in which the power supplying apparatus
and the power receiving apparatus (external apparatus of the power supply
object) perform communication by the power line communication according
to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5.

[0210]FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of
a power supplying apparatus 100 according to the embodiment. In FIG. 12,
the power supplying apparatus 100 is illustrated in conjunction with the
power receiving apparatus 200B illustrated in FIG. 5.

[0211] The power supplying apparatus 100 includes a connecting unit 102, a
control unit 106, a power line communication unit 108, a first filter
110, a second filter 112, a power supplying unit 114, a consumption power
measuring unit 116, and a communication unit 118.

[0212] The power supplying apparatus 100 may include a ROM, a RAM, a
storage unit, a display unit, a timing device composed of an oscillator,
and a detecting unit that are not illustrated in the drawings. The power
supplying apparatus 100 connects the individual structural elements by a
bus functioning as a transmission path of data.

[0213] The control unit 106 is configured using an MPU or various
processing circuits and wholly controls the power supplying apparatus
100. The control unit 106 includes a state determining unit 120, an
information generating unit 122, a transmission control unit 124, and a
power control unit 126 and takes the initiative in executing the
processing according to the state management method according to the
embodiment.

[0214] The state determining unit 120 takes the initiative in executing
the processing of (1) (determination processing) and determines whether
the power supply with respect to the external apparatus of the power
supply object is enabled. Specifically, the state determining unit 120
executes one or more processing among the determination processing
according to the first example to the determination processing according
to the fourth example. The state determining unit 120 transmits a signal
(or data) showing a determination result to the information generating
unit 122.

[0215] The information generating unit 122 takes the initiative in
executing the processing of (2) (information generation processing) and
generates evidence information when the power supply with respect to the
external apparatus of the power supply object is disabled. Specifically,
the information generating unit 122 generates the evidence information,
when a signal transmitted from the state determining unit 120 shows that
it is not determined that the power supply with respect to the external
apparatus of the power supply object is enabled.

[0216] The transmission control unit 124 takes the initiative in executing
the processing of (3) (state management processing) and transmits the
evidence information generated in the information generating unit 122 to
the external apparatus of the transmission object.

[0217] Specifically, when transmission destination information stored in
the storage unit shows the power receiving apparatus 200B (external
apparatus of the power supply object) corresponding to the external
apparatus of the transmission object, the transmission control unit 124
causes the power line communication unit 108 to transmit the generated
evidence information to the power receiving apparatus 200B. When the
transmission destination information stored in the storage unit shows an
apparatus other than the power receiving apparatus 200B (external
apparatus of the power supply object) corresponding to the external
apparatus of the transmission object, the transmission control unit 124
causes the communication unit 118 to transmit the generated evidence
information to the external apparatus shown by the transmission
destination information.

[0218] The power control unit 126 selectively transmits power to the
external apparatus. Specifically, the power control unit 126 transmits a
control signal to control selective power supply from the power supplying
unit 114 to the power line PL to the power supplying unit 114, controls
an operation of the power supplying unit 114, and selectively transmits
power to the external apparatus.

[0219] When information showing that a battery has been fully charged,
which has been received by the power line communication unit 108, is
received, the power control unit 126 transmits a signal, which shows that
the power supply with respect to the external apparatus of the power
supply object has been completed, to the state determining unit 120.

[0220] The power control unit 126 may manage an amount of power supplied
to the external apparatus by the power supplying unit 114 or value of
power supplied on the basis of the power amount and a unit price of the
power. In the case in which the amount of supplied power or the value of
the supplied power is managed, the power control unit 126 can transmit a
signal, which shows that the power supply with respect to the external
apparatus of the power supply object has been completed, to the state
determining unit 120, when it is determined that power of a predetermined
amount or a predetermined amount of money has been supplied.

[0221] The power control unit 126 may transmit a control signal to control
a start of a measurement of consumption power in the external apparatus
such as the power receiving apparatus 200B in the consumption power
measuring unit 116 or a stop of the measurement to the consumption power
measuring unit 116 and control an operation of the consumption power
measuring unit 116.

[0222] The control unit 106 includes a state determining unit 120, an
information generating unit 122, a transmission control unit 124, and a
power control unit 126 and takes the initiative in executing the
processing according to the state management method according to the
embodiment.

[0223] The configuration of the control unit that is included in the power
supplying apparatus according to the embodiment is not limited to the
configuration illustrated in FIG. 12. For example, the control unit that
is included in the power supplying apparatus according to the embodiment
may not include the power control unit 126. Even when the control unit
included in the power supplying apparatus according to the embodiment
does not include the power control unit 126, the control unit included in
the power supplying apparatus according to the embodiment can execute the
processing of (1) (determination processing) to the processing of (3)
(transmission control processing) according to the state management
method according to the embodiment.

[0224] When the control unit included in the power supplying apparatus
according to the embodiment does not include the power control unit 126,
the power supplying apparatus according to the embodiment may include the
power control unit 126 separately or may not include the power control
unit 126. Even when the power supplying apparatus according to the
embodiment does not include the power control unit 126, the state
determining unit 120 can execute processing, on the basis of the signal
showing that the power supply with respect to the external apparatus of
the power supply object has been completed, which is transmitted from the
external apparatus having the same function as the power control unit
126.

[0225] The power supplying apparatus according to the embodiment can
individually include at least one of the state determining unit 120, the
information generating unit 122, the transmission control unit 124, and
the power control unit 126 illustrated in FIG. 12 (for example, each unit
is realized by an individual processing circuit).

[0226] The control unit that is included in the power supplying apparatus
according to the embodiment may further include a charging processing
unit that takes the initiative in executing the charging processing
according to the embodiment and/or a recording control unit that executes
the recording control processing according to the embodiment.

[0227] The power line communication unit 108 executes a function as a
communication unit (a part of the communication unit) that performs
communication with the external apparatus of the power supply object. For
example, as described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, communication in
the power line communication unit 108 is controlled by the control unit
106 and the power line communication unit 108 transmits a demodulated
response signal to the control unit 106.

[0228] The power supplying unit 114 selectively connects a power supply
(for example, an internal power supply or an external power supply) and a
power line PL, on the basis of a control signal transmitted from the
control unit 106 (in the strict sense, the power control unit 126), and
selectively supplies power to the power line PL.

[0229] In this case, a switch that is turned on/off on the basis of a
control signal transmitted from the control unit 106 is exemplified as
the power supplying unit 114. The switch is configured using a
p-channel-type MOSFET or an n-channel-type MOSFET. However, a
configuration of the switch is not limited to the above example.

[0230] The consumption power measuring unit 116 measures consumption power
(corresponding to power supplied to the external apparatus of the power
supply object) that is consumed by the external apparatus of the power
supply object such as the power receiving apparatus 200B connected to the
connecting unit 102. The consumption power measuring unit 116 transmits
information of the measured consumption power to the control unit 106.
The consumption power measuring unit 116 can selectively measure the
consumption power, on the basis of the control signal transmitted from
the control unit 106 (in the strict sense, the power control unit 126).
In this case, a consumption power measurer is exemplified as the
consumption power measuring unit 116.

[0231] The communication unit 118 is a communication mechanism included in
the power supplying apparatus 100 and performs wired/wireless
communication with the external apparatus (for example, the external
apparatus associated with the external apparatus of the power supply
object or the external apparatus not associated with the external
apparatus of the power supply object) other than the external apparatus
of the power supply object or the external apparatus such as the external
charging processing apparatus, through the network (or directly). The
communication of the communication unit 118 is controlled by the control
unit 106.

[0232] In this case, a communication antenna and a radio frequency (RF)
circuit (wireless communication), an IEEE802.15.1 port and a
transmission/reception circuit (wireless communication), an IEEE802.11b
port and a transmission/reception circuit (wireless communication), or a
local area network (LAN) terminal and a transmission/reception circuit
(wired communication) are exemplified as the communication unit 118. The
communication unit 118 may have a configuration corresponding to any
standard that can perform communication, such as a universal serial bus
(USB) terminal and a transmission/reception circuit, or any configuration
that can perform communication with the external apparatus through the
network. As the network according to the embodiment, a wired network such
as a LAN or a wide area network (WAN), a wireless network such as a
wireless local area network (WLAN) or a wireless wide area network (WWAN)
through a base station, or the Internet using a communication protocol
such as a transmission control protocol/Internet protocol (TCP/IP) is
exemplified.

[0233] By the configuration illustrated in FIG. 12, the power supplying
apparatus 100 executes the processing (for example, the processing of (1)
(determination processing) to the processing of (3) (transmission control
processing)) according to the state management method according to the
embodiment. Therefore, by the configuration illustrated in FIG. 12, the
power supplying apparatus 100 can securely leave information when the
power supply is not performed.

[0234] The configuration of the power supplying apparatus according to the
embodiment is not limited to the configuration illustrated in FIG. 12.

[1] First Modification

[0235] For example, the power supplying apparatus according to the
embodiment may have a configuration in which the communication unit 118
is not provided. Even when a power supplying apparatus according to a
first modification of the embodiment has the configuration in which the
communication unit 118 is not provided, the power supplying apparatus can
execute the processing of (1) (determination processing) to the
processing of (3) (transmission control processing). Therefore, the power
supplying apparatus according to the first modification of the embodiment
can achieve the same effect as the power supplying apparatus 100
illustrated in FIG. 12.

[2] Second Modification

[0236] For example, in FIG. 12, the configuration in which the power
supplying apparatus and the power receiving apparatus (an example of the
external apparatus of the power supply object) according to the
embodiment perform communication by the power line communication
according to the embodiment is illustrated. However, the power supplying
apparatus and the power receiving apparatus according to the embodiment
can perform communication by the wireless communication according to the
embodiment. Specifically, when communication is performed by the wireless
communication according to the embodiment, the power supplying apparatus
and the power receiving apparatus according to the embodiment have the
configuration in which communication is performed by the wireless
communication according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, instead
of the configuration in which communication is performed by the power
line communication according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5.

[0237] Even when a power supplying apparatus according to a second
modification of the embodiment has the configuration in which
communication is performed by the wireless communication according to the
embodiment, the power supplying apparatus can execute the processing of
(1) (determination processing) to the processing of (3) (transmission
control processing). Therefore, the power supplying apparatus according
to the second modification of the embodiment can achieve the same effect
as the power supplying apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 12.

[3] Third Modification

[0238] The power supplying apparatus according to the embodiment may have
both the configuration in which communication is performed by the power
line communication according to the embodiment and the configuration in
which communication is performed by the wireless communication according
to the embodiment. Specifically, the power supplying apparatus according
to the embodiment includes the configuration in which communication is
performed by the wireless communication according to the embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 3 and the configuration in which communication is
performed by the power line communication according to the embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 5.

[0239] Even when a power supplying apparatus according to a third
modification of the embodiment has both the configuration in which
communication is performed by the power line communication according to
the embodiment and the configuration in which communication is performed
by the wireless communication according to the embodiment, the power
supplying apparatus can execute the processing of (1) (determination
processing) to the processing of (3) (transmission control processing).
Therefore, the power supplying apparatus according to the third
modification of the embodiment can achieve the same effect as the power
supplying apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 12.

[4] Fourth Modification

[0240] When there is an apparatus (or a circuit) having a function
corresponding to the power supplying unit 114 as an external apparatus
(or a circuit) of the power supplying apparatus according to the
embodiment, the power supplying apparatus according to the embodiment may
not include the power supplying unit 114. When there is an apparatus (or
a circuit) having a function corresponding to the consumption power
measuring unit 116 as the external apparatus (or the circuit) of the
power supplying apparatus according to the embodiment, the power
supplying apparatus according to the embodiment may not include the
consumption power measuring unit 116. Even when a power supplying
apparatus according to a fourth modification of the embodiment does not
include the power supplying unit 114 or the consumption power measuring
unit 116 in the above case, the power supplying apparatus can execute the
processing of (1) (determination processing) to the processing of (3)
(transmission control processing). Therefore, the power supplying
apparatus according to the fourth modification of the embodiment can
achieve the same effect as the power supplying apparatus 100 illustrated
in FIG. 12.

[5] Fifth Modification

[0241] The power supplying apparatus according to the embodiment may not
include one or more structural elements among the communication units to
perform the power line communication according to the embodiment, such as
the power line communication unit 108 and the first filter 110, the
structural elements relating to the communication, such as the second
filter 112, and the communication unit 118. Even when a power supplying
apparatus according to a fifth modification of the embodiment does not
include one or more structural elements among the communication units to
perform the power line communication according to the embodiment, the
power supplying apparatus can transmit evidence information to the
external apparatus of the transmission object through the included
structural elements relating to the communication and/or a connected
external communication apparatus (not illustrated in the drawings). That
is, even when the power supplying apparatus according to the fifth
modification of the embodiment does not include one or more structural
elements among the communication units to perform the power line
communication according to the embodiment, the power supplying apparatus
can execute the processing of (1) (determination processing) to the
processing of (3) (transmission control processing). Therefore, the power
supplying apparatus according to the fifth modification of the embodiment
can achieve the same effect as the power supplying apparatus 100
illustrated in FIG. 12.

[6] Sixth Modification

[0242] The power supplying apparatus according to the embodiment may not
include the connecting unit 102, when power is transmitted by wireless.
When power is transmitted by wireless, the power supplying apparatus
according to the embodiment includes a power transmitting device relating
to wireless power transmission, such as a power transmitting device
relating to power transmission using electromagnetic induction, a power
transmitting device relating to power transmission using an electric wave
(microwave), a power transmitting device relating to power transmission
using resonance of a magnetic field, or a power transmitting device
relating to power transmission using resonance of an electric field.

[7] Seventh Modification

[0243] The power supplying apparatus according to the embodiment can have
any combination configuration, such as a combination configuration of the
configuration according to the first modification and the configuration
according to the second modification, a combination configuration of the
configuration according to the first modification and the configuration
according to the third modification, . . . .

(Power Receiving Apparatus According to Embodiment)

[0244] Next, an example of a configuration of the power receiving
apparatus according to the embodiment that can execute the processing
according to the state management method according to the embodiment will
be described. Hereinafter, an example of the configuration of the power
receiving apparatus according to the embodiment will be described on the
basis of an example of the case in which the power receiving apparatus
and the power supplying apparatus according to the embodiment perform
communication by the power line communication according to the embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 5. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of
the configuration of the power receiving apparatus 200 according to the
embodiment.

[0245] The power receiving apparatus 200 includes a connecting unit 202, a
first filter 206, a power line communication unit 208, a second filter
210, and a communication unit 212. The power receiving apparatus 200 may
include a battery (not illustrated in the drawings), a storage unit (not
illustrated in the drawings), and various devices (not illustrated in the
drawings) to realize a function of the power receiving apparatus 200, at
a rear step of the second filter 210 (the side opposite to the connecting
unit 202 in the second filter 210 illustrated in FIG. 13). The
communication unit 212 may be one of the structural elements to realize
the function of the power receiving apparatus 200.

[0246] As described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, the power line
communication unit 208 executes a function as a communication unit (a
part of the communication unit) that performs the load modulation on the
basis of the signal transmitted from the external apparatus such as the
power supplying apparatus according to the embodiment and performs
communication with the external apparatus.

[0247] The power line communication unit 208 includes a determining unit
214, a recording control unit 216, and a charging processing unit 218 and
takes the initiative in executing the processing (for example, the
processing of (I) (determination processing) to the processing of (III)
(charging processing)) according to the state management method in the
power receiving apparatus according to the embodiment. In this case, in
the power line communication unit 208, the data processing unit 262
illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11 functions as the determining unit 214, the
recording control unit 216, and the charging processing unit 218.

[0248]FIG. 13 illustrates the example of the case in which the power line
communication unit 208 includes the determining unit 214, the recording
control unit 216, and the charging processing unit 218 and takes the
initiative in executing the processing (for example, the processing of
(I) (determination processing) to the processing of (III) (charging
processing)) according to the state management method in the power
receiving apparatus according to the embodiment. However, the
configuration of the power receiving apparatus according to the
embodiment is not limited to the above example. For example, the power
receiving apparatus according to the embodiment may individually include
one or more structural elements among the determining unit 214, the
recording control unit 216, and the charging processing unit 218. That
is, in the power receiving apparatus according to the embodiment, one or
more structural elements among the determining unit 214, the recording
control unit 216, and the charging processing unit 218 can be realized by
an individual processing circuit such as an MPU. When one or more
structural elements among the determining unit 214, the recording control
unit 216, and the charging processing unit 218 are included separately
from the power line communication unit 208, the structural elements that
are included separately from the power line communication unit 208
executes the processing according to the state management method
according to the embodiment, by power obtained on the basis of the
high-frequency signal, power obtained from the power line PL, or power
obtained from the internal power supply such as the battery.

[0249] The determining unit 214 takes the initiative in executing the
processing of (I) (determination processing) and determines whether the
evidence information according to the embodiment is received. The
determining unit 214 may determine information that is included in the
received evidence information. The determining unit 214 transmits a
signal (or data) showing a determination result to the recording control
unit 216 and the charging processing unit 218.

[0250] The recording control unit 216 takes the initiative in executing
the processing of (II) (recording control processing) and stores the
received evidence information in the recording medium, when it is
determined by the determining unit 214 that the evidence information is
received. In this case, the internal memory 270 illustrated in FIG. 10 or
11, a storage unit (not illustrated in the drawings), a connected
removable external recording medium, or a recording medium of an external
apparatus connected by wire or wireless through the communication unit
212 is exemplified as the recording medium to store the evidence
information by the recording control unit 216. When the evidence
information is stored in the recording medium of the external apparatus,
the recording control unit 216 transmits the evidence information and a
recording processing command to record the evidence information in the
external apparatus to the communication unit 212.

[0251] The charging processing unit 218 takes the initiative in executing
the processing (charging processing) of (III). When it is determined by
the determining unit 214 that the information regarding the value for the
supplied power is included in the received evidence information, the
charging processing unit 218 executes the charging processing, on the
basis of the information regarding the value for the supplied power to be
included in the evidence information.

[0252] The communication unit 212 is a communication mechanism included in
the power receiving apparatus 200 and performs wired/wireless
communication with the external charging processing apparatus or the
external apparatus such as the server, through the network (or directly).
For example, when the charging processing unit 218 executes the indirect
charging processing, the charging processing unit 218 causes the
communication unit 212 to transmit the information regarding the value
for the supplied power to be included the evidence information to the
external charging processing apparatus. The charging processing unit 218
may transmit identification information showing the power receiving
apparatus 200 (corresponding to the charging object apparatus) to the
communication unit 212.

[0253] The communication unit 212 is driven by the power obtained on the
basis of the high-frequency signal, the power obtained from the power
line PL, or the power obtained from the internal power supply such as the
battery and performs communication.

[0254] In this case, a communication antenna and an RF circuit (wireless
communication), an IEEE802.15.1 port and a transmission/reception circuit
(wireless communication), an IEEE802.11b port and a
transmission/reception circuit (wireless communication), or a LAN
terminal and a transmission/reception circuit (wired communication) are
exemplified as the communication unit 212. The communication unit 212 may
have a configuration corresponding to any standard that can perform
communication, such as a USB terminal and a transmission/reception
circuit, or any configuration that can perform communication with the
external apparatus through the network.

[0255] By the configuration illustrated in FIG. 13, the power receiving
apparatus 200 executes the processing (for example, the processing of (I)
(determination processing) to the processing of (III) (charging
processing)) according to the state management method in the power
receiving apparatus according to the embodiment. Therefore, by the
configuration illustrated in FIG. 13, the power receiving apparatus 200
can securely leave information when the power supply is not performed. By
the configuration illustrated in FIG. 13, the power receiving apparatus
200 can selectively execute the charging processing based on the received
evidence information.

[0256] The configuration of the power receiving apparatus according to the
embodiment is not limited to the configuration illustrated in FIG. 13.

[1] First Modification

[0257] For example, the power receiving apparatus according to the
embodiment may have a configuration in which the communication unit 212
is not provided. Even when the power receiving apparatus according to the
embodiment does not include the communication unit 212, the power
receiving apparatus executes the charging processing using the electronic
value stored in the internal memory 270 illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11
and can execute the processing of (I) (determination processing) to the
processing of (III) (charging processing). Therefore, a power receiving
apparatus according to a first modification of the embodiment can achieve
the same effect as the power receiving apparatus 200 illustrated in FIG.
13.

[2] Second Modification

[0258] For example, in FIG. 13, the configuration in which the power
receiving apparatus according to the embodiment performs communication by
the power line communication according to the embodiment is illustrated.
However, the power receiving apparatus according to the embodiment can
perform communication by the wireless communication according to the
embodiment. Specifically, when the communication is performed by the
wireless communication according to the embodiment, the power receiving
apparatus according to the embodiment has the configuration in which the
communication is performed by the wireless communication according to the
embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, instead of the configuration in which
the communication is performed by the power line communication according
to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5.

[0259] Even when a power receiving apparatus according to a second
modification of the embodiment has a configuration in which the
communication is performed by the wireless communication according to the
embodiment, the power receiving apparatus can execute the processing of
(I) (determination processing) to the processing of (III) (charging
processing). Therefore, the power receiving apparatus according to the
second modification of the embodiment can achieve the same effect as the
power receiving apparatus 200 illustrated in FIG. 13.

[3] Third Modification

[0260] The power receiving apparatus according to the embodiment may have
both the configuration in which communication is performed by the power
line communication according to the embodiment and the configuration in
which communication is performed by the wireless communication according
to the embodiment. Specifically, the power receiving apparatus according
to the embodiment includes the configuration in which communication is
performed by the wireless communication according to the embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 3 and the configuration in which communication is
performed by the power line communication according to the embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 5.

[0261] Even when a power receiving apparatus according to a third
modification of the embodiment has both the configuration in which
communication is performed by the power line communication according to
the embodiment and the configuration in which communication is performed
by the wireless communication according to the embodiment, the power
receiving apparatus can execute the processing of (I) (determination
processing) to the processing of (III) (charging processing). Therefore,
the power receiving apparatus according to the third modification of the
embodiment can achieve the same effect as the power receiving apparatus
200 illustrated in FIG. 13.

[4] Fourth Modification

[0262] When the power receiving apparatus according to the embodiment may
have the configuration in which the charging processing unit 218 is not
provided. Even when the power receiving apparatus according to the
embodiment has the configuration in which the charging processing unit
218 is not provided, the power receiving apparatus can execute the
processing of (I) (determination processing) and the processing of (II)
(recording control processing). Therefore, a power receiving apparatus
according to a fourth modification of the embodiment can securely leave
information when the power supply is not performed.

[5] Fifth Modification

[0263] The power receiving apparatus according to the embodiment may not
include the connecting unit 202, when power is transmitted by wireless.
When the power is transmitted by wireless, the power receiving apparatus
according to the embodiment includes a power receiving device relating to
wireless power transmission, such as a power receiving device relating to
power transmission using electromagnetic induction, a power receiving
device relating to power transmission using an electric wave (microwave),
a power receiving device relating to power transmission using resonance
of a magnetic field, or a power receiving device relating to power
transmission using resonance of an electric field.

[6] Sixth Modification

[0264] The power receiving apparatus according to the embodiment may
further include a notification control unit (not illustrated in the
drawings) that notifies a user of the light receiving apparatus according
to the embodiment of content of the received evidence information. The
notification control unit notifies the user of the power receiving
apparatus according to the embodiment of the content of the received
evidence information, using a visual notification method using a
character, an image, or flickering of light or an auditory notification
method using a sound (including music or a beep sound; this is applicable
to the following description). In this case, a display unit (not
illustrated in the drawings) included in the power receiving apparatus
according to the embodiment, a sound output device such as an amplifier
or a speaker included in the power receiving apparatus according to the
embodiment, or an external apparatus such as an external display device
or an external sound output device is exemplified as a notification
performance object by the notification control unit.

[7] Seventh Modification

[0265] The power receiving apparatus according to the embodiment can have
any combination configuration, such as a combination configuration of the
configuration according to the first modification and the configuration
according to the second modification, a combination configuration of the
configuration according to the first modification and the configuration
according to the third modification, . . . .

[8] Other Modification

[0266] The power receiving apparatus according to the embodiment may have
a so-called reader/writer function, similar to the power supplying
apparatus according to the embodiment.

[0267] The power supplying apparatus has been exemplified as the
embodiment. However, the embodiment is not limited to the above form. The
embodiment can be applied to various apparatuses or facilities, such as
an outlet provided in a building, a computer such as a PC or a server, a
power supply tab, an apparatus providing power to an electric vehicle or
an apparatus working with power, and a display device. The embodiment can
be applied to a vehicle such as an electric vehicle or a moving object
that executes a function as the power supplying apparatus. The power
supplying apparatus according to the embodiment may receive power that is
transmitted from the external apparatus. That is, the power supplying
apparatus according to the embodiment may execute a function as the power
receiving apparatus.

[0268] The power receiving apparatus has been exemplified as the
embodiment. However, the embodiment is not limited to the above form. The
embodiment can be applied to various apparatuses working with power, such
as a computer such as a PC, a communication apparatus such as a mobile
phone or a smart phone, a video/music reproducing apparatus (or a
video/music recording/reproducing apparatus), a portable game machine, a
display device, a television receiver, an illumination apparatus, a
toaster, and a vehicle such an electric vehicle driven with power. The
embodiment can be applied to a plug. The power receiving apparatus
according to the embodiment may transmit power to the external apparatus.
That is, the power receiving apparatus according to the embodiment may
execute a function as the power supplying apparatus.

(Program According to Embodiment)

[1] Program Relating to Power Supplying Apparatus According to Embodiment

[0269] A program for causing a computer to function as the power supplying
apparatus according to the embodiment (for example, a program that can
execute the processing according to the state management method according
to the embodiment in the power supplying apparatus according to the
embodiment, such as the processing of (1) (determination processing) to
the processing of (3) (transmission control processing) or the processing
of (1) (determination processing) to the processing of (3) (transmission
control processing) and the recording control processing) is executed in
the computer, thereby securely leaving information when the power supply
is not performed.

[2] Program Relating to Power Receiving Apparatus According to Embodiment

[0270] A program for causing a computer to function as the power receiving
apparatus according to the embodiment (for example, a program that can
execute the processing according to the state management method according
to the embodiment in the power receiving apparatus according to the
embodiment, such as the processing of (I) (determination processing) and
the processing of (II) (recording control processing) or the processing
of (I) (determination processing) to the processing of (III) (charging
processing)) is executed in the computer, thereby securely leaving
information when the power supply is not performed.

[0271] It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various
modifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alterations may occur
depending on design requirements and other factors insofar as they are in
the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

[0272] For example, in the above description, the program (computer
program) for causing the computer to function as the power supplying
apparatus according to the embodiment or the power receiving apparatus
according to the embodiment is provided. However, the embodiment can
provide the recording media in which the programs are individually stored
or the recording media in which all of the programs are stored together.

[0273] The configuration described above is only an example of the
embodiment and is included in a technical range of the present
disclosure.

[0274] Additionally, the present technology may also be configured as
below.

(1) A power supplying apparatus including:

[0275] a state determining unit that determines whether power supply with
respect to an external apparatus of a power supply object to supply power
is enabled;

[0276] an information generating unit that generates evidence information
regarding a power supply disabled state, when the power supply with
respect to the external apparatus of the power supply object is disabled;
and

[0277] a transmission control unit that transmits the generated evidence
information to at least one external apparatus of a transmission object.

(2) The power supplying apparatus according to (1),

[0278] wherein the information generating unit generates the evidence
information that includes information regarding a power supply time.

(3) The power supplying apparatus according to (1) or (2),

[0279] wherein the information generating unit generates the evidence
information that includes information regarding a value for supplied
power.

(4) The power supplying apparatus according to any one of (1) to (3),

[0280] wherein the state determining unit authenticates the external
apparatus of the power supply object based on identification information
acquired from the external apparatus of the power supply object, and

[0281] the state determining unit determines whether the power supply with
respect to the external apparatus of the power supply object is enabled
based on an authentication result.

(5) The power supplying apparatus according to (4), further including:

[0282] a communication unit that communicates with the external apparatus
of the power supply object,

[0283] wherein the state determining unit authenticates the external
apparatus of the power supply object based on the identification
information obtained by communication of the communication unit with the
external apparatus of the power supply object.

(6) The power supplying apparatus according to (5),

[0284] wherein the communication unit acquires the identification
information that is transmitted when load modulation is performed in the
external apparatus of the power supply object.

(7) The power supplying apparatus according to (6),

[0285] wherein the communication unit includes

[0286] a power line communication unit that transmits a high-frequency
signal of a frequency higher than a frequency of the power by a power
line through which power is transmitted and communicates with the
external apparatus of the power supply object; and

[0287] a communication filter that is connected between the power line
communication unit and the power line and intercepts at least a signal of
the frequency of the power and does not intercept the high-frequency
signal.

(8) The power supplying apparatus according to (6),

[0288] wherein the communication unit includes

[0289] a communication antenna that transmits a carrier according to a
high-frequency signal having a frequency higher than a frequency of the
power; and

[0290] a wireless communication unit that transmits the high-frequency
signal through the communication antenna and communicates with the
external apparatus of the power supply object.

(9) The power supplying apparatus according to any one of (1) to (3),
further including:

[0291] a connecting unit that connects a power line, through which power
is transmitted, to the external apparatus,

[0292] wherein the state determining unit determines whether the power
supply with respect to the external apparatus of the power supply object
is enabled, based on a connection state of the external apparatus to the
connecting unit.

(10) The power supplying apparatus according to any one of (1) to (3),
further including:

[0293] a detecting unit that detects an external apparatus of a power
supply object,

[0294] wherein the state determining unit determines whether the power
supply with respect to the external apparatus of the power supply object
is enabled based on a detection result of the external apparatus by the
detecting unit.

(11) The power supplying apparatus according to any one of (1) to (10),

[0295] wherein the at least one external apparatus of the transmission
object includes one or more external apparatuses selected from the
external apparatus of the power supply object, an external apparatus
associated with the external apparatus of the power supply object among
external apparatuses other than the external apparatus of the power
supply object, and an external apparatus not associated with the external
apparatus of the power supply object among the external apparatuses other
than the external apparatus of the power supply object.

(12) A power receiving apparatus including:

[0296] a determining unit that determines whether evidence information
regarding a state in which power supply in a power supplying apparatus
supplying power is disabled is received; and

[0297] a recording control unit that records the evidence information,
when it is determined that the evidence information is received.

(13) The power receiving apparatus according to (12), further including:

[0298] a charging processing unit that selectively executes charging
processing based on the evidence information, when it is determined that
the evidence information is received,

[0299] wherein the determining unit determines information that is
included in the received evidence information, and

[0300] the charging processing unit executes the charging processing, when
information regarding a value for supplied power is included in the
received evidence information.

(14) A state management method including:

[0301] determining whether power supply with respect to an external
apparatus of a power supply object to supply power is enabled;

[0302] generating evidence information regarding a power supply disabled
state, when the power supply with respect to the external apparatus of
the power supply object is disabled; and

[0303] transmitting the generated evidence information to at least one
external apparatus of a transmission object.

(15) A program for causing a computer to execute:

[0304] determining whether power supply with respect to an external
apparatus of a power supply object to supply power is enabled;

[0305] generating evidence information regarding a power supply disabled
state, when the power supply with respect to the external apparatus of
the power supply object is disabled; and

[0306] transmitting the generated evidence information to at least one
external apparatus of a transmission object.

[0307] The present disclosure contains subject matter related to that
disclosed in Japanese Priority Patent Application JP 2012-085361 filed in
the Japan Patent Office on Apr. 4, 2012, the entire content of which is
hereby incorporated by reference.